Department for Environment and Heritage

Management Plan

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula 2006

www.environment.sa.gov.au This plan of management was adopted on 3 June 2006 and was prepared pursuant to section 38 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Published by the Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide, Australia

© Department for Environment and Heritage, 2006

ISBN: 1 921238 18 6

Front cover photograph of a White-bellied Sea-eagle landing courtesy of Nicholas Birks

This document may be cited as “Department for Environment and Heritage (2006) Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan , Adelaide, South Australia” FOREWORD The 17 parks included in this management plan include most islands off western Eyre Peninsula between Head of Bight and the southern tip of the peninsula. Most were constituted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, although many had been managed for conservation purposes since at least the 1960s. Together the parks cover over 8 300 hectares.

The Island Parks have a rich cultural heritage. Prior to colonial settlement, many of the islands were used as whaling and sealing stations, some of which are still visible today. Post-colonial settlers used some of the larger islands for agriculture and guano mining.

More than 130 species of native animal are found within the parks, many of which are of conservation significance. The management plan emphasises the importance of these parks as habitat and breeding areas for many threatened species, including Australian Sea Lions, Greater Stick-nest Rats and White-bellied Sea Eagles. The plan seeks to see further protection afforded to sensitive breeding sites through the exclusion of visitors to vulnerable areas.

Many people have contributed to the development of this plan of management. Their interest and helpful suggestions are gratefully acknowledged.

I now formally adopt the plan of management for the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula under the provisions of section 38 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

HON GAIL GAGO MLC

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 i TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD...... i 1 PARK LOCATIONS AND FEATURES ...... 1 1.1 History of Management ...... 14 2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ...... 15 2.1 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 ...... 15 2.2 Native Title Act 1993 ...... 16 3 VISION ...... 17 4 ZONING ...... 17 5 MANAGING NATURAL HERITAGE...... 18 5.1 Geology, Soils and Landform...... 18 5.2 Native Vegetation ...... 18 5.3 Native Fauna ...... 20 5.4 Introduced Plants...... 28 5.5 Introduced Animals ...... 28 6 MANAGING FIRE ...... 29 7 MANAGING CULTURAL HERITAGE ...... 30 7.1 Indigenous Heritage ...... 30 7.2 Non-Indigenous Heritage ...... 31 8 MANAGING TOURISM AND RECREATION...... 32 8.1 Visitor Access ...... 32 8.2 Visitor Activities and Facilities ...... 33 8.3 Commercial Tourism ...... 33 9 MANAGING RESOURCE USE...... 37 9.1 Aquaculture and Commercial Fishing...... 37 9.2 Exploration and Mining ...... 37 9.3 Leases and Licences ...... 38 9.4 Public Utilities...... 38 9.5 Management Infrastructure ...... 38 10 INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY ...... 39 11 MANAGING RESERVE TENURE ...... 40 12 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ...... 43 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 47 APPENDIX A: PLANT SPECIES LIST...... 49 APPENDIX B: MAMMAL SPECIES LIST ...... 64 APPENDIX C: BIRD SPECIES LIST ...... 65 APPENDIX D: REPTILE SPECIES LIST ...... 72

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Western Eyre Peninsula Island Parks ...... 8 Figure 2: Nuyts Archipelago and Isles of St Francis Conservation Parks ...... 9 Figure 3: Streaky Bay and Sceale Bay Island Parks ...... 11 Figure 4: Investigator Group Conservation Park...... 12 Figure 5: Avoid Bay and Whidbey Isles ...... 13 Figure 6: St Francis Island Features...... 35 Figure 7: St Peter Island Features ...... 36

ii Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 1 PARK LOCATIONS AND FEATURES This management plan has been prepared for the island parks of western Eyre Peninsula, being Avoid Bay Islands, Baird Bay Islands, Cap Island, Eba Island, Greenly Island, Investigator Group, Isles of St Francis, Nicolas Baudin, Nuyts Archipelago, Nuyts Reef, Olive Island, Pigface Island, Rocky Island (North), Rocky Island (South), Sinclair Island, Waldegrave Islands and Whidbey Isles Conservation Parks. These parks include all islands in the reserve system between Head of Bight and the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula. Exceptions are the Venus Bay and Coffin Bay Islands (covered by separate plans), Evans Island in the Nuyts Archipelago (unallotted Crown Land), Flinders Island in the Investigator Group (freehold land) and a number of smaller, unsurveyed islands (see Section 11 Managing Reserve Tenure).

Most of the parks were constituted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, although many of these have been managed for conservation purposes since at least the 1960s. These island parks lie off the coast of western Eyre Peninsula, from as close as a few hundred metres to 60 kilometres distant (Figure 1). Except for the unnamed island in Baird Bay (Section 181, Hundred of Wrenfordsley), all the islands in this plan fall out of Hundreds. This plan concerns itself only with the areas designated as Conservation Park, not the waters surrounding the parks. The exception to this is Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park, which includes some of the waters surrounding the land. Most of the islands are proclaimed as conservation park to the low water mark (LWM), which in some cases is ambulatory. This means that in some cases the park boundaries extend over tidal flats which are important feeding areas for waders and other shore birds.

There are 19 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) proposed to be in place by 2010 (South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2004). These MPAs may be located in the vicinity of the conservation parks covered in this management plan and will be established to further the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and of natural and cultural resources. New marine park legislation will be developed for the establishment of the South Australian Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (SARSMPA). This legislation will include provisions for dedication and management of marine parks and displaced commercial fishing effort. It will complement existing legislation including the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Under the new marine parks legislation, South Australia’s marine parks will provide for multiple use in order to protect coastal, estuarine and marine ecosystems, while also providing for continued ecologically sustainable use of suitable areas. Most activities, including recreational and commercial activities, will still be allowed within a marine park boundary. However, in order to protect representative habitats, species and ecological features, there will be zones where some activities will not be permitted.

Some of the larger and less remote islands have been used commercially over the years since settlement, most often for agriculture (especially grazing), but also occasional guano mining. Many of the islands were used as sites for whaling and/or sealing throughout the 19th century. However, many of the parks have little or no evidence of human activity or occupation, particularly since proclamation. None of the reserves covered by this management plan provide for access under state mining legislation.

Eyre Peninsula has a well-defined Mediterranean climate, having predominantly winter rains and a dry summer. The mean annual rainfall is about 500mm.

Nuyts Reef Conservation Park The Nuyts Reef, named for Dutch navigator Pieter Nuyts, lies 12km south of Cape Adieu (Figure 1). It is mainly composed of granite, with a thin calcarenite capping on the largest rocks. The western most group is dominated by a 13m high islet, the northern by a 6m high rock, while the southern is often only marked by breakers.

Nuyts Reef Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve Australian Sea-lion breeding habitat. Allotments 1-6 of Deposited Plan 31598, Out of Hundreds (Nuyts), were included in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers approximately 24.4ha.

Sinclair Island Conservation Park Sinclair Island is a low granite dome (roughly 15m high), 3km south of Sinclair Point (Figure 1). It was named by Flinders after Kenneth Sinclair, one of his midshipmen, on 31 January 1802. The surface is worn into grooves and troughs, visible in calmer water, but covered by breakers in heavier seas. Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 1 Sinclair Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve island habitat and protect Australian Sea-lion haul-out areas. Allotment 1 of Deposited Plan 31603, Out of Hundreds (Nuyts), was included in Sinclair Island Conservation Park, in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park, the subject land was declared a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 2.5ha.

Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park Stretching from the Purdie Islands in the west to Olive Island just off Cape Bauer in the east are the 19 main islands, and their associated rocks and reefs, of Nuyts Archipelago. These were named by Flinders in 1802 to commemorate the voyage of Dutch navigator Pieter Nuyts, who had previously reached this area in January 1627. The Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park is made up of six island groups – Purdie Islands, Lounds Island, Franklin Islands, St Peter Island, Goat Island and Eyre Island (Figure 2).

Flinders named the Purdie Islands on 1 February 1802 after the surgeon’s assistant on the Investigator, Robert Purdie. The islets lie 10km south-south-west of Rocky Point and form a barely dry chain of granite rocks with one 25m high island at the western extremity.

Lounds Island, named by Flinders on 7 February 1802 after midshipman Sherrard Lound, lies 16km south-east of Rocky Point. Like many islands in this area, the calcarenite cap is protected from the worst of the erosive force of the ocean by a high granite base.

The Franklin Islands were named by Flinders on 3 February 1802 for midshipman John Franklin. The two islands lie 15km from the mainland and 13km east-south-east of Evans Island. Both islands are calcarenite-capped plateaus, dropping steeply to granite platforms along the coastlines. The islands are joined by a ribbon of white sand that dries at low tide. The Franklin Islands were at one stage incorporated into the pastoral lease of St Francis Island, and were used as bonus grazing land for sheep during good seasons. Both islands have been declared Prohibited Areas (Gazette 26.4.1974, page 1459) to protect the Greater Stick-nest Rat populations there.

St Peter Island was named in 1627 by Pieter Nuyts after his patron saint. It lies in relatively shallow water 5km from the mainland. The supporting granite base of the island is visible along the southern face, but is covered on the rest of the island by a thick bed of calcarenite. The size and shape of the island have created additional island habitats – sand dunes created from wind swept sandy beaches and mangrove swamps created from the deposit of fine silts. At 3,439ha, the island’s vegetation is less affected by the sea and resembles more the mainland vegetation. Due to its size and accessibility, St Peter Island was used for agriculture from 1859 until its addition to the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park in 1988.

Goat Island lies 2km to the south-west of St Peter Island, a submerged reef between the two the only indication of an earlier link. The island is typically calcarenite on a granite base.

Eyre Island, 2.5km north-west of Cape Missiessy and 8km west of Smoky Bay was named after explorer Edward John Eyre. The island is composed entirely of sand, with no outcropping rocks to be seen. A line of dunes runs parallel to the exposed southern coastline. The dune barrier provides a shelter that has allowed the build-up of fine silts, enabling colonisation by mangroves.

Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve rare and endangered wildlife populations. Sections 931 and 932 (St Peter Island) were added in Gazette 14.1.1988, page 75. Allotments 1-15 of Deposited Plan 31599, Out of Hundreds (Nuyts and Streaky Bay), were included in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Section 960 (an islet off the western tip of Eyre Island), Out of Hundreds (Streaky Bay) was added in Gazette 4.11.1993, page 2174. The park covers 5450ha.

Isles of St Francis Conservation Park The Isles of St Francis Conservation Park is made up of ten islands that form the south-westerly extension of the Nuyts Archipelago (Figure 2). The islands are characterised by sheltered bays, beaches, rocky cliffs and limestone outcrops.

St Francis Island lies 27km south of Rocky Point, and has a granite base usually covered by a thick bed of calcarenite. The island reaches an 81m summit on the south-eastern coast, topped by an automatic lighthouse and radio beacon. Being such a large island, it was used as early as 1859 for agriculture, and for some time guano was mined from the island as well.

2 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Smooth Island is located 200m north of St Francis Island, with a dome-shaped calcarenite mantle on a granite base.

Egg Island is 400m north-east of St Francis Island, and is much like a larger version of Smooth Island, the rounded dome reaching a summit of 41m.

Dog Island, 300m east-north-east of St Francis Island, has a light granite base with a dolerite dyke up to 2m wide. This is capped with a thick bed of calcarenite, which has yielded enough sand to produce significant dunes along the eastern side of the island. The coastline is carved into irregular coves and points where the waves are dulled by boulder beaches.

Freeling Island lies 100m north-east of Dog Island and was named after Major-General Sir Arthur Henry Freeling, a Surveyor-General and Colonial Engineer. It is in most respects similar to Dog Island.

West Island is in open ocean 1.5km west of St Francis Island. Like many islands in the area it is composed of a granite base with a calcarenite mantle. Here though, the oceans have stripped the island of most of its calcarenite, leaving exposed granite surfaces to face the southern ocean swells.

Masillon Island lies 2.5km south of St Francis Island. The island was named during the expedition of Nicolas Baudin (1802) after the Bishop of Clermont, Jean Baptise Masillon. The thick calcarenite of Masillon Island is protected by a base of granite that reaches high enough to protect the softer rock from the ravages of the sea.

A further 1.5km south lies Fenelon Island, named by Baudin after Francois di Salignac de-la Mothe Fenelon, a French archbishop, theologian, and man of letters. Like Masillon Island, its thick calcarenite capping is protected by a high granite base. The dome-shaped island has a rounded coastline that drops off to deep water on all sides, except for a small beach on the north-eastern side, enclosed by the island’s only cliffs.

Hart Island was named for Captain John Hart CMG, a former Premier, Chief Secretary and Treasurer to the government of South Australia. It lies 49km south of Point Bell, and is made purely of crystalline volcanic and granitic rocks.

Lacy Island lies 12km north-east of St Francis Island and 19km south-east of Rocky Point on the mainland. It was named by Flinders on 3 February 1802 after Mr Lacy, one of the crew on the Investigator. The group consists of one large island with a small islet and a cluster of submerged and drying rocks 3.5km to the north.

Isles of St Francis Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve island populations and habitat for endangered species, such as the Carpet Python (Morelia spilota), Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata) (which became extinct there, followed more recently by a failed reintroduction program, see Section 5.3 Native Fauna) and Australian Sea-lion. Allotments 1-9 of Deposited Plan 31591, Out of Hundreds (Nuyts), were included in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961­ 962 and Gazette 2.11.1967, page 1964. The park covers 1246ha.

Eba Island Conservation Park Eba Island, located 700m offshore in Streaky Bay and 4km south of Perlubie Hill (Figure 3), is composed entirely of calcarenite, often overlaid with a limestone capping. Eba Island may have been named after a clerk in the South Australian Department of Lands, or after an acquaintance of Governor MacDonnell (Robinson et al. 1996). On the south-western, more exposed flanks of the island, waves have undercut the wall and carved blowholes, scalloped ridges and blades of jagged rock into the limestone. On the better-protected northern sides the calcarenite bed is softened by sandy coves, with rock appearing through as headlands.

The island was at one stage used for agriculture, but the abandoned house and broken down fence lines are testament to its failure. Native vegetation is slowly reclaiming the cleared grasslands.

Eba Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve island habitat within Streaky Bay and the sea bird breeding colony. Its boundaries were altered to include Allotment 1 of Deposited Plan 31587, Out of Hundreds (Streaky Bay), in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 3 becoming a conservation park the subject land was proclaimed a Fauna Reserve in Gazette 8.12.1966, page 215. The park covers 141ha.

Pigface Island Conservation Park Pigface Island is located 5.5km south of Perlubie Hill (Figure 3), and was named for the profusion of pink flowers (Disphyma crassifolium) that seasonally cover the rocky coastal shores of the island. Pigface Island is comparable to the nearby Eba Island, but slightly simpler in structure. The island is based on calcarenite, with outcrops of limestone amongst the sandy soil. Pigface was cleared of vegetation and may have been grazed; it is now dominated by an introduced grassland (of similar composition to Eba Island) and scattered African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum). Pigface Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve sea bird roosting habitat. Allotment 2 of Deposited Plan 31587, Out of Hundreds (Streaky Bay), was included in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 2.5.1968, page 1347. The park covers 9.6ha.

Olive Island Conservation Park Olive Island is located 6km west of Cape Bauer (Figure 3). Olive Island was named by Matthew Flinders after John Olive, a clerk on the Investigator, on 5 February 1802. The island is a cluster of the more resistant fragments of a rise once extending from the present Cape Bauer on the mainland. The base of the islet and the surrounding reefs consist of erosion resistant granite, with a 10-17m calcarenite cap on the islet. Olive Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve a significant Australian Sea-lion breeding habitat. Allotment 1 of Deposited Plan 31600, Out of Hundreds (Streaky Bay), was included in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 16.3ha.

Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park Nicolas Baudin Island is located 30km south of Streaky Bay off Cape Blanche. It may properly be considered an islet, comprising little more than exposed rocks with a surrounding submerged reef. Though Matthew Flinders or Nicolas Baudin named many of the offshore islands around South Australia’s coastline, the outcrop off Cape Blanche was never identified. As part of the process of proclaiming the conservation park, the islet, previously known as Cape Blanche Island, was renamed through a public competition in 2002 and the name selected appropriately commemorates the French explorer Nicolas Baudin as part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the meeting of the two expeditions.

Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park was proclaimed on 16 January 2003 (Gazette 16.01.2003 page181) to protect a significant breeding location for the Australian Sea-lion. It covers 95.2ha, comprising Allotments 1, 2 and 3 of Deposited Plan 61029, Out of Hundreds (Elliston), and includes the rocks, foreshore and portion of the seabed.

Recent research has confirmed that the park is of great importance as a breeding colony for a large population of Australian Sea-lions and is considered important in the association of sea-lions and New Zealand Fur-seals living side by side. South of the park, Point Labatt is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony of Australian Sea-lions, thought to interact heavily with the Nicolas Baudin Island colony.

Allotments 2 and 3 were declared a prohibited area on 16 January 2003 to restrict disturbance to the breeding cycle of the Australian Sea-lions and New Zealand Fur-seals.

Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park is made up of two islands in Baird Bay - an unnamed island (referred to in this plan as Baird Bay Island) deep within Baird Bay and Jones Island at the mouth of the bay (Figure 3). Baird Bay Island consists of a limestone surface dominated by a low heath vegetation association; Jones Island consists of limestone over granite dominated by a low heath vegetation association. Named after J.W. Jones, secretary to the Commissioner of Public Works for the South Australian government, Jones Island is the remnant of a calcarenite wall that once held back the ocean from the low-lying valley to the north.

4 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve an offshore island habitat and Australian Sea-lion breeding area. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 22ha.

Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park The Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park encompasses Waldegrave Island and Little Waldegrave Island and the Watchers. The island was named by Flinders on 10 February 1802, in honour of Admiral William Waldegrave, third in command at the Battle of St Vincent during the Napoleonic Wars. Waldegrave Island is separated from the mainland by a 3km passage and lies 7km north-west of Elliston. The island is a domed granite base with a calcarenite mantle. Early pastoralists, attracted by Waldegrave Island’s size and proximity to the mainland, cleared part of the island and introduced pastures to be grazed by stock until the island’s dedication for conservation in 1967.

The island is characterised by spectacular coastal cliffs and sandy beaches. The island comprises extensive areas of cleared land which support a pasture of introduced grasses and some large infestations of African Boxthorn. However a large proportion of the island is covered with native vegetation. Little Waldegrave Island lies to the west of the main island, and is little more than a large granite rock with a minimal calcarenite capping, with enough area to support a few salt tolerant plant and animal species.

Waldegrave Islands and the Watchers were constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve Cape Barren Geese (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) breeding habitat and Australian Sea-lion haul-out areas. Allotments 1-4 of Deposited Plan 31608, Out of Hundreds (Elliston), were included in Waldegrave Islands Conservation Park, in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a Conservation Park, the subject land was declared a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 432ha.

Investigator Group Conservation Park The Investigator Group Conservation Park is made up of five steep domed granite island groups ­ Topgallant Island, Ward Island, Pearson Island, The Veteran Isles and Dorothée Island (Figure 4). The park does not include the largest island in the group, Flinders Island, which is freehold land. Vegetation generally comprises saltbush and Dryland Tea-tree.

Topgallant Island lies 6km east of Flinders Island and 22km south-west of Cape Finniss. It was named by Flinders on 10 February 1802 for the resemblance of the islets of the group to ships under sail. Topgallant Island is a massive bed of calcarenite, partially protected from erosion by an underwater ridge of granite. The main island of the group is circled by 75m high cliffs, rising to a 101m platform summit. Two smaller islands trail off to the south-east, with the most distant (at 1.5km) a sharp 55m pyramid.

Ward Island was given Flinders’ mother’s maiden name and lies 15km west of Flinders Island and 53km west-south-west from Cape Finniss. It is the product of a volcanic intrusion that solidified to granite. As with many of these islands, sand dunes upon this solidified to calcarenite. This calcarenite now remains as a tall stump in the centre of the island. At times this stump is all that is exposed, with the erosive surf crashing into its base and carving overhangs and caves; at times a steep, compacted sloping mass of rock fragments at the foot of the cliff is visible.

Pearson Island lies 25km south-east of Flinders Island. The island was named by Flinders after the maiden name of his brother-in-law’s mother. The island is composed of one large northern land mass with two smaller rises lying in a narrow arc to the south. The smaller hummocks are linked by slender spits of rock. The most northerly, connecting the main section, is little more than a rock- choked channel. The narrow arc cradles a deep, sheltered bay and a small beach at the apex, providing a safe anchorage and landing point.

The Veteran Isles lie just south of Pearson Island and form two separate steep summits, the northern rising to 82m, the southern to 26m. Both ‘peaks’ are granite, the higher, deeply corrugated northern island retaining some pockets of granitic soil.

Dorothée Island is 4km south of Pearson Island and 60km south-west of Elliston. The island is split by a main crevasse into a northern and southern peak, the northern reaching 140m, the southern rising to 102m.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 5 Investigator Group Conservation Park was constituted in 1972 to protect delicate island ecology and Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seal haul-out areas. Allotments 1-7 of Deposited Plan 31590, Out of Hundreds (Elliston), were included in Investigator Group Conservation Park in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Section 12 (Pearson Isles) and Allotment 2 of Deposited Plan 19499, Out of Hundreds (Elliston) were included in Investigator Group Conservation Park in Gazette 29.8.2002, page 3212. Previously, sections 886, 887, 888 and 889 and Allotments 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Deposited Plan 31590 were declared a “bird and animal protection district”, in Gazette 3.8.1916, page 181. The whole of the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 370ha.

Cap Island Conservation Park Cap Island is located 7.5km offshore, west of Mount Misery. Like many of the islands off the Western Eyre Peninsula, Cap Island is composed of a granite base with a calcarenite mantle. The margins of the island are steeply over-hanging and eroded. Typical vegetation is a Nitre Bush (Nitraria billardierei) low shrubland. Matthew Flinders named the island on 16 February 1802, alluding to the calcarenite on granite with a cap-like profile.

Cap Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve a sea bird breeding area and Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) haul-out areas. Allotment 1 of Deposited Plan 31582, Out of Hundreds (Kimba), were included in Cap Island Conservation Park in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to becoming a conservation park the subject land was dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 8ha.

Rocky Island (North) Conservation Park North Rocky Island is a remote and isolated gneiss and granite hump 13km south of Drummond Point which supports a small area of Grey Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) shrubland with a large area of bare rock. It provides a resting point for oceanic birds and a breeding site for Australian Sea-lions.

Rocky Island (North) Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve seal haul­ out areas and associated island habitat. Allotment 1 of Deposited Plan 31602, Out of Hundreds (Lincoln), was included in Rocky Island (North) Conservation Park, in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Prior to this the subject land was declared a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 9ha.

Greenly Island Conservation Park Greenly Island is located 30km west-south-west of Whidbey Point and was named for Sir Isaac Coffin’s fiancée by Flinders on 16 February 1802. Greenly Island is a large granite dome with steep sides plunging vertically into deep water, split by two large crevasses which effectively break the island into three blocks. The top of the island is capped with Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) woodlands while the lower slopes have either a Coastal Tussock (Poa poiformis var. poiformis) grassland or a Marsh Saltbush (Atriplex paludosa var. cordata) shrubland. The main part of the island rises to the east to a steep peak of 230m.

Greenly Island Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to protect the island’s delicate ecology and Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seal haul-out areas. Allotments 1 and 2 of Deposited Plan 31589, Out of Hundreds (Lincoln), were included in Greenly Island Conservation Park in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Greenly Island was proclaimed as being under the Fauna and Flora Reserve Act 1919, in Gazette 28.10.1948, page 1345. Greenly Island was declared a Fauna Reserve in Gazette 1.9.1966, page 1122. It was then dedicated a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 168ha.

Avoid Bay Islands Conservation Park Avoid Bay Islands Conservation Park is made up of two island groups in Avoid Bay - Avoid Island and Black Rocks (Figure 5). Avoid Island lies 400m off a small headland projecting into the northern curve of Avoid Bay. It is sometimes given the alternate name ‘Sudden Jerk’, a reference to a ship that was wrecked on this island. The island is a predominantly granite dome, with the remains of a calcarenite cap on the island’s summit. Black Rocks, lying one kilometre off a small point on south-central Avoid Bay, are composed entirely of calcarenite and have been hollowed out to form caves and overhangs.

6 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Avoid Bay Islands Conservation Park was constituted to conserve sea bird breeding areas and Australian Sea-lion (Neophoca cinerea) haul-out areas. Sections 861, 862 and 863 were constituted Avoid Bay Conservation Park by statute in 1972. Allotments 1-3 of Deposited Plan 31580, Out of Hundreds (Lincoln), were included in Avoid Bay Conservation Park in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. Previously, sections 861, 862 and 863 were constituted a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 2.5.1968, page 1371. The park covers 35ha.

Whidbey Isles Conservation Park The Whidbey Isles Conservation Park includes five spectacular and virtually untouched island groups – Golden Island, Price Island, Perforated Island, Unnamed Rock and Four Hummocks Islands (Figure 5). The group was named by Flinders after his home town in England. Golden, Price and Perforated Islands retain a considerable cover of calcarenite over their granite bases close to the shore, but as the chain stretches away to the south-west the covering has been stripped away to leave Unnamed Rock and Four Hummocks Islands as rounded granite inselbergs.

Golden Island, probably named for the colour of the freshly eroded calcarenite visible on its steeper cliffs, lies 1km south of Point Avoid. The calcarenite that forms most of the island is protected from erosion by a low sliver of resilient metamorphosed sediments of Hutchinson Group.

Named after Thomas Price, a Premier of South Australia, Price Island is 3.2km south-west of Point Avoid. The large dome of Hutchinson rock has a cap of Bridgewater formation, the island reaching a plateau of 64m across its 58ha.

Perforated Island, so named for its appearance, lies 12.4km west-south-west of Point Avoid. Its granite base lies below the waterline, exposing the calcarenite walls to the ocean. This results in the undercutting and formation of sea caves in the cliffs of the 121ha island.

Unnamed Rock (sometimes referred to as Little Hummock Island) lies 7km south-west of Perforated Island, and 24km in the same direction from Point Avoid. Rising 23m above the surface of the water, this granite inselberg supports no non-marine life.

Four Hummocks Islands are 27km west-south-west of Point Avoid, and are largely granite with a small amount of calcarenite. South Four Hummocks Island is presently not included in the park (See Section 11 Managing Reserve Tenure).

Whidbey Isles Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve wildlife habitat. Allotments 1-6 of Deposited Plan 31610, Out of Hundreds (Lincoln) were included in Whidbey Isles Conservation Park, in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. All sections were formerly a Fauna Conservation Reserve (Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962 and Gazette 2.5.1968, page 1371). The park covers 268ha.

Rocky Island (South) Conservation Park Rocky Island (South) lies 51km west-south-west of Point Avoid, and 18km south-south-west of Greenly Island. A reef extends 400m from the western side of the southern point of the island, but the remainder of the island is surrounded by deep water. The dome-shaped granite island rises 68m above the ocean, but still all life on the island is affected by the saline environment.

Rocky Island (South) Conservation Park was constituted by statute in 1972 to conserve New Zealand Fur-seal breeding areas and associated island habitat. Allotment 3 of Deposited Plan 31589, Out of Hundreds (Lincoln), was included in Rocky Island (South) Conservation Park, in Gazette 19.12.1991, page 1907. The subject land was previously declared a Fauna Conservation Reserve in Gazette 16.3.1967, pages 961-962. The park covers 4ha.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 7 YumbarraYumbarra (CP)(CP)

FowlersFowlers BayBay (CR)(CR) PurebaPureba (CR)(CR) PurebaPureba (CP)(CP) NuytsNuyts ReefReef (CP)(CP) CEDUNACEDUNA SinclairSinclair IslandIsland (CP)(CP) LauraLaura BayBay (CR)(CR) LauraLaura BayBay (CR)(CR) KoolgeraKoolgera (CR)(CR) NuytsNuyts ArchipelagoArchipelago (CP)(CP) SMOKYSMOKY BAYBAY AcramanAcraman CreekCreek (CP)(CP) GawlerGawler RangesRanges (NP)(NP) IslesIslesIsles ofofof St.St.St. FrancisFrancisFrancis (CP)(CP)(CP) HASLAMHASLAM EbaEba IslandIsland (CP)(CP) EbaEba IslandIsland (CP)(CP) GawlerGawler RangesRanges (CR)(CR) PigfacePigface IslandIsland (CP)(CP) OliveOlive IslandIsland (CP)(CP) STREAKYSTREAKY BAYBAY

ScealeSceale BayBay (CR)(CR) NicolasNicolas BaudinBaudin IslandIsland (CP)(CP) SCEALESCEALE BAYBAY KulliparuKulliparu (CP)(CP) VenusVenus BayBay (CP)(CP) BairdBaird BayBay IslandsIslands (CP)(CP) VENUSVENUS BAYBAY CocataCocata (CP)(CP)

LakeLake NewlandNewland (CP)(CP) WaldegraveWaldegrave IslandsIslands (CP)(CP) BarwellBarwell (CR)(CR) ELLISTONELLISTON

InvestigatorInvestigatorInvestigator GroupGroupGroup (CP)(CP)(CP)

CapCap IslandIsland (CP)(CP)

0 50 100 RockyRocky IslandIsland (North)(North) (CP)(CP) kilometres

AvoidAvoid BayBay IslandsIslands (CP)(CP) CoffinCoffin BayBay (NP)(NP) GreenlyGreenly IslandIsland (CP)(CP) WhidbeyWhidbey IslesIsles (CP)(CP) RockyRocky IslandIsland (South)(South) (CP)(CP)

Figure 1

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Location

LEGEND

(CP) Conservation Park Towns (CR) Conservation Reserve Highways (NP) National Park Major Roads NP&W Act Reserves Railways

Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS Date: 12 September, 2005 BirdBird RockRock

PurdiePurdie IslandsIslands LoundsLounds IslandIsland StSt PeterPeter IslandIsland

GoatGoat IslandIsland

EyreEyre IslandIsland EvansEvans IslandIsland 0 7.5 15 LacyLacy IslandIsland

kilometres

WestWest FranklinFranklin IslandIsland EastEast FranklinFranklin IslandIsland

EggEgg IslandIsland FreelingFreeling IslandIsland SmoothSmooth IslandIsland

DogDog IslandIsland

StSt FrancisFrancis IslandIsland WestWest IslandIsland Figure 2

Nuyts Archipelago and Isles of St Francis Conservation Parks Location MasillonMasillon IslandIsland LEGEND

Isles of St Francis Conservation Park FenelonFenelon IslandIsland Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park

Unallotted Crown land

Note: The boundaries of the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park extend to low water mark. On St Peter and Eyre Islands this boundary is ambulatory.

Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS HartHart IslandIsland Date: 12 September, 2005 Back of A3 map

10 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 EbaEba IslandIsland (CP)(CP) PigfacePigface IslandIsland (CP)(CP)

OliveOlive IslandIsland (CP)(CP)

STREAKYSTREAKY BAYBAY

0 7.5 15 ScealeSceale BayBay (CR)(CR) kilometres

CalpatannaCalpatanna WaterholeWaterhole (CP)(CP) NicolasNicolas BaudinBaudin IslandIsland (CP)(CP) SCEALESCEALE BAYBAY

UnnamedUnnamed IslandIsland

PointPoint LabattLabatt (CP)(CP)

JonesJones IslandIsland

BairdBaird BayBay IslandsIslands (CP)(CP)

Figure 3 LEGEND

Islands of the Streaky Bay and Sceale Bay areas Western Eyre Peninsula Island Parks Location Other NP&W Act Reserves

Lakes

Highways Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS Major Roads Date: 12 September, 2005 Towns TopgallantTopgallant IslandIsland FlindersFlinders IslandIsland WardWard IslandIsland

SouthSouth WardWard IslandIsland

0 5 10

kilometres

PearsonPearson IslandIsland

NorthNorth VeteranVeteran IslandIsland SouthSouth VeteranVeteran IslandIsland

DorotheeDorothee IslandIsland

Figure 4 LEGEND

Investigator Group Conservation Park Investigator Group Conservation Park Location Heritage Agreement

Freehold land

Map designed and created by Unallotted Crown land Reserve Planning using PAMS Date: 12 September, 2005 COFFINCOFFIN BAYBAY (NP)(NP)

AvoidAvoid IslandIsland

BlackBlack RocksRocks

GoldenGolden IslandIsland PricePrice IslandIsland

PerforatedPerforated IslandIsland

UnnamedUnnamed RockRock

NorthernNorthern FourFour HummocksHummocks IslandIsland

CentralCentral FourFour HummocksHummocks IslandIsland

SouthSouth FourFour HummocksHummocks IslandIsland

0 5 10

kilometres

Figure 5 LEGEND Avoid Bay Islands and Whidbey Isles Whidbey Isles Conservation Park Location Avoid Bay Islands Conservation Park

Other NP&W Act Reserves Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS Unallotted Crown land Date: 12 September, 2005 1.1 History of Management The remote and inhosbitable nature of many of the smaller islands did not predispose them to significant human impacts and little actual management has been required since their constitution as Conservation Parks, either to manage legacy of impacts or ongoing visitor use. Consequently management has focussed on conservation and research.

All islands in the region were surveyed by DEH staff between 1971 and 1982, and the information gathered collated in the 1996 publication South Australia’s Offshore Islands (Robinson et al. 1996). A 2002 marine and terrestrial survey to the Isles of St Francis took a more detailed look at that group of islands, including in the survey aspects of fauna and flora, geology and settlement history (Murray-Jones et al. 2003).

Due to the remote, predator-free nature of the islands and their relative intact vegetation structures, some were seen as ideal locations for trial reintroductions of threatened native species. Reintroductions were made on many of the islands in the region, but not all were successful. Brush- tailed Bettongs (Bettongia penicillata) were placed on St Francis, St Peter and Baird Bay Islands, but the St Francis Island population did not establish successfully. The bettongs on St Peter Island and Baird Bay Island survived, but a fox reached Baird Bay Island in 1994 and eradicated the population there. Greater Stick-nest Rats were also successfully introduced to St Peter Island in a series of releases beginning in June 1993 (See Section 5.3 Native Fauna).

The relict populations of Greater Stick-nest Rats (Leporillus conditor) on Franklin Islands, Southern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus nauticus) on Franklin Islands and St Francis Island and Black- footed Rock-wallabies (Petrogalis lateralis pearsoni) on Pearson Island have been the subject of active management to protect the species against extinction. The Franklin Islands have been declared a Prohibited Area for the protection of the Greater Stick-nest Rats.

Regular monitoring of Australian Sea-lion populations has occurred on many of the islands in the region, by CSIRO in conjunction with DEH staff.

Introduced fauna has not been a major issue on any of the islands, but introduced flora such as African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) and Common Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) has become a nuisance on many of the islands in the park, particularly those larger or closer islands that are roosting sites for terrestrial birds. On St Peter Island, the Friends of St Peter Island, Greencorps and Australian Conservation Trust volunteers have undertaken extensive control of African Boxthorn using the cut and swab method and by spraying. This is an ongoing program and will take many years and much volunteer and staff effort to bring under control.

The remote nature of many of the islands in the region makes close management difficult with limited resources. The island parks receive very few visitors (numbers unknown) and as a consequence visitor facilities have not been considered necessary.

This plan supersedes the management strategies prescribed for Avoid Bay Islands and Whidbey Isles Conservation Parks in the 2004 Parks of the Coffin Bay Area Management Plan.

14 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK 2.1 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 Reserves are managed by the Director of National Parks and Wildlife subject to any direction by the Minister for Environment and Conservation or the Chief Executive of the Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH). When managing reserves, the Director is required under section 37 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to have regard to, and provide actions that are consistent with the following objectives of management stated in the Act:

- preservation and management of wildlife; - preservation of historic sites, objects and structures of historic or scientific interest within reserves; - preservation of features of geographical, natural or scenic interest; - destruction of dangerous weeds and the eradication or control of noxious weeds and exotic plants; - control of vermin and exotic animals; - control and eradication of disease of animals and vegetation; - prevention and suppression of bush fires and other hazards; - encouragement of public use and enjoyment of reserves and education in, and a proper understanding and recognition of, their purpose and significance; - generally, the promotion of the public interest; and - preservation and protection of Aboriginal sites, features, objects and structures of spiritual or cultural significance within reserves.

Section 38 of the Act states that a management plan is required for each reserve. A management plan should set forth proposals in relation to the management and improvement of the reserve and the methods by which it is intended to accomplish the objectives of the Act in relation to that reserve.

DEH is responsible for preparing management plans and undertaking the prescribed community consultation process for the park. A standard management planning process is mandated, to ensure that all statutory obligations are met. Help and guidance with plan preparation is sought and obtained from individuals, community groups or relevant advisory committees, although ultimately the decision on whether or not to adopt a management plan remains a ministerial prerogative. Throughout the writing of this plan nine submissions were received from interested parties.

The draft plan for the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula was released for public exhibition in December 2005. At the close of the comment period, nine submissions were received, raising issues including reserve tenure, species distribution and textual errors. All comments and concerns were forwarded to the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Council for advice before the plan was presented to the Minister for adoption.

In accordance with the Act, the provisions of this management plan must be carried out and no actions undertaken unless they are in accordance with this plan. In order to achieve this, each year park managers, taking regional and district priorities into account, draw up work programs to implement some of the strategies proposed in management plans. Implementation of these projects is determined by, and subject to, the availability of resources (eg staffing and funding).

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 15 2.2 Native Title Act 1993 Native Title describes the rights and interests Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have in land and waters according to their traditional laws and customs. Commonwealth legislation, in the form of the Native Title Act 1993 was enacted to: - Provide for the recognition and protection of native title; - Establish ways in which future dealings affecting native title may proceed and to set standards for those dealings; - Establish a mechanism for determining claims to native title; and - Provide for, or permit, the validation of past acts, and intermediate period acts, invalidated because of the existence of native title. This management plan is released and will be adopted subject to any native title rights and interests that may continue to exist in relation to the land and/or waters. Before undertaking any acts that might affect native title, DEH will follow the relevant provisions of the Native Title Act 1993.

16 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 3 VISION The vision for the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula is a series of island parks in pristine condition that contribute to island biodiversity and provide important habitat and breeding sites for threatened species.

4 ZONING Section 39 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provides for the designation of zones in a reserve and constrains the use of land in those zones to the conditions specified in an adopted management plan. Zoning aims to ensure that public use and management actions remain compatible with the protection of park values. Zones described below establish a framework for the sustainable use of the reserves, ensuring the conservation of biological and cultural values.

Natural Area Zone This zone includes the majority of the Nuyts Archipelago and Isles of St Francis Conservation Parks. For activities other than conservation works, access to the islands is by permit only (see Section 8 Visitor Use). Vehicle access is permitted along designated roads and tracks. Note that the Franklin Islands within the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park remain Prohibited Areas.

Island Conservation Zone This zone includes the remainder of the parks. No new developments are planned for this zone other than conservation project works. The primary intention of this zone is to conserve biodiversity values.

Access will only be granted by permit for scientific research and monitoring and for conservation works. Areas of the parks may be proclaimed Prohibited Areas if required (ie. to seasonally protect delicate breeding zones).

Objective Zone the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula to ensure appropriate public use, landscape protection, the conservation of wildlife habitats and cultural features and to preserve the wilderness values of the more remote island parks.

Strategy • Develop and manage the parks in accordance with the zones described above.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 17 5 MANAGING NATURAL HERITAGE 5.1 Geology, Soils and Landform All islands off the coastline of South Australia are the eroded remnants of the continental landmass that previously extended seaward from the present coastline. All were connected to the mainland at the height of the most recent glaciation about 17,000 years ago, and have been isolated by rising sea levels since then. The morphology of the islands generally reflects their composition and structure. The granite inselbergs of the Investigator Group of Islands display perfect sheet structure, with granite pavements sloping gently into the sea, while islands in the Whidbey group or the Nuyts Archipelago have younger dune calcarenite forming a distinctive capping on ancient granitic and volcanic rocks (Robinson et al. 1996).

Archaean and Proterozoic rocks on the islands of the west coast form part of the Gawler Craton. The Whidbey Granite outcrops only on Greenly Island, Rocky Island (North and South) and the Four Hummocks. Price and Golden Island in the Whidbey group have the only offshore outcrops of the Hutchinson Group, a metamorphic sedimentary rock. The granites of Pearson and Flinders Islands in the Investigator Group are relatively uniform in composition over large areas and very similar to those found on the mainland. The granites of Nuyts Archipelago have not been seen on the mainland (Robinson et al. 1996).

The islands tend to consist of three basic geologies: very ancient basement igneous rocks; aoleonite deposits of the Bridgewater Formation; and calcrete developed within the sands of the Bridgewater Formation. Soils developed from these geologies have distinct characteristics. Igneous rocks erode to form soils ranging from talus and rubble to coarse sands that have very low water-retaining capacity and low nutrient status. Aoleonite erodes to form white or yellow sands that can be blown into dune systems on larger islands. Much of this sand is derived from offshore, when it is moved onto beaches and later incorporated into coastal dunes. These sands are generally the deepest soils to be found on the islands. Soils developed from calcrete are fine, sandy loams, often with particles and nodules of limestone spread through the profile. These loams are generally less than 2m deep, with solid calcrete underlying them. They are more structured and have better water holding capacity (Robinson et al. 1996).

Active management of soils is not considered necessary except where weed control operations may be undertaken.

Objective Protect and maintain soils through the management of native flora, and by controlling the impacts of invasive plants, animals and human activities.

Strategy • Take soil stability into account when planning for and undertaking management activities.

5.2 Native Vegetation Vegetation on the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula remains largely intact except on a few islands that have endured agriculture – namely St Peter and St Francis, along with some of the inshore islands.

Plant species found within the Island Parks of the Western Eyre Peninsula are listed in Appendix A.

There are several species of conservation concern found on the island parks: the Dwarf Centrolepis (Centrolepis cephaloformis ssp. murrayi), found on Pearson Island, the Fringe-fruited Pennywort (Hydrocotyle comocarpa), found on Pearson Island and Dorothée Island and the Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium), found on Baird Island and Eba Island, all rare at state level. The Common or Basalt Peppercress (Lepidium hyssopifolium), found on Dog and Massilon Islands, is listed as endangered at the national level.

The Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula support several broad vegetation structures. Vegetation on the various islands is largely dependent upon the degree of exposure to prevailing winds and subsequent level of salt tolerance:

18 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 1. Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) woodland and Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) open scrub dominates the higher areas of Greenly Island, out of reach of the influences of the ocean. 2. Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) woodland, found only in the silty spits of St Peter and Eyre Islands, are nonetheless an important habitat for many animal species. 3. Native Juniper (Myoporum insulare) tall shrubland favours the shallower soil areas of St Peter, Pearson and East Waldegrave Islands. 4. Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axillaris) tall open shrubland occurs in sand dune areas throughout the parks. 5. Low shrublands of Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata), Nitre Bush (Nitraria billardierei) or Shore Westringia (Westringia dampieri) are common on deep sandy soils on many of the islands, though rarely together. 6. Low open shrubland of Grey Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) and/or March Saltbush (A. paludosa) cover much of the exposed sections of the islands with their salt resistant foliage. 7. A number of the islands have little or no vegetation, being for the most part bare rock. These include Nuyts Reef, Sinclair Island, Rocky Island (North), the southern-most of the Veteran Isles and Unnamed Rock in the Whidbey Isles. Clearing of native vegetation occurred on islands that were used for grazing by early pastoralists. These are St Peter, St Francis, Eba, Pigface, Baird Bay, Jones and Waldegrave Islands. On many of these islands that are now released from grazing pressure, native vegetation is slowly reclaiming the introduced grasslands. No active management is required, but monitoring of native vegetation should be encouraged.

On some of the islands, the presence of introduced herbivorous animals is adversely affecting the vegetation structure. Pearson Island Black-footed Rock-wallabies were restricted to the northern island of the group, allowing botanists to compare ungrazed plant communities on the southern island with similar communities on the northern island that were subject to herbivore pressure. However, in 1960 a research team surveying the island group captured six wallabies and returned them to their base camp on the southern island. All six escaped and a population of up to 150 animals now occupies the island at a density far higher than that on the northern island (Robinson et al. 1996). Pearson Island lacks the icon genera, Acacia and Eucalyptus, although they are to be found on other nearby islands. The extinction of these genera from Pearson Island is almost certainly because over time the rock-wallabies have eliminated them through prevention of recruitment. As a small test of this hypothesis, seedlings of appropriate species were taken to the island, where they were quickly consumed by the wallabies. By comparrison, unpalatable species such as Allocasuarina verticilliata, Melaleuca halmaturorum and M. lanceolata are common on Pearson Island. Introductions of native herbivorous animals to St Peter Island and St Francis Island have not had a major impact so far, but vegetation structures should be monitored for signs of permanent degradation.

There is an increasing threat of the introduction of soil borne pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi into parks. Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) is technically classified as a water mould or oomycota but is generally referred to as a fungus. It is an introduced soil-borne pathogen that kills a wide range of native Australian plant species by attacking their root system and reducing or stopping the movement of water and nutrients within the plant. The disease spreads quickly downhill with the movement of water through the soil. It can also spread slowly in any direction through root to root contact. The spread of Phytophthora has been dramatically increased by human activities, particularly by moving soil, gravel and plant material on vehicles, footwear and camping equipment. It is not known whether any of the plant species found in these parks are susceptible to Phytophthora. A mean annual rainfall of about 500 mm and soil types of granite, limestone and sand indicate that the islands are located in a Low Risk Management Zone for Phytophthora (Standard Operating Procedure for Phytophthora Threat Management). Plants and raw materials brought into this area must be free of Phytophthora and vehicles, equipment and footwear must be clean.

There are a number of standard marked photopoints established on St Peter, St Francis, Masillon, Fenelon, West Franklin, Pearson, Dorothée and Greenly Islands which should be re-photographed opportunistically and the photos and data lodged with DEH.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 19 Objective Protect vegetation associations and undertake actions necessary for the conservation of significant species where necessary.

Strategies • Monitor recruitment of native vegetation on islands where historic clearing has occurred. • Identify and monitor populations of rare and endangered plant species. Develop and implement plans, if required, for their conservation. • Encourage research into impacts of herbivory by native and introduced species on vegetation, and implement remedial management programs where necessary. • Encourage research into the impacts of the accidental introductions of Pearson Island Black- footed Rock-wallabies to Central and South Pearson Islands. • Ensure that raw materials brought onto the islands are free of Phytophthora and that vehicles, equipment and footwear are clean. • Opportunistically re-photograph from established photopoints to assist ongoing management of vegetation.

5.3 Native Fauna Due to many years of isolation and absence of introduced predators, islands are often a location of extreme endemism and/or relict populations of otherwise extinct species. About 100 species of bird, 11 species of terrestrial mammal (of which four are introduced), two species of marine mammal, 27 species of lizard and six species of snake have been recorded in the parks. Several wildlife species occurring in the parks are classed as vulnerable or rare. The key role of these parks is in the preservation of these populations, through the protection of important habitat and breeding areas. Species found within the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula are listed in Appendices B, C and D.

Habitat modification and hunting (including sealing) resulted in the decline and disappearance of several mammal and bird species from the area; skeletal remains and documented history are the only evidence of their existence.

In reserves of this type, where biodiversity conservation and the protection of threatened species is a major goal, fauna surveys and ongoing monitoring are considered most worthwhile and should be encouraged. Populations should be monitored and, where necessary, species management plans developed and implemented to ensure their conservation.

Mammals Mammals found on the islands include pinnipeds, marsupials, rodents and chiropterans. The largest of the terrestrial mammals are wallabies, the islands generally being too small to support larger animals. All terrestrial mammals found on the islands are either herbivorous or insectivorous. Many of the mammals are listed under both Commonwealth and State protection laws (see below).

Native mammals found in the parks include the widespread Lesser Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi), the Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii) and the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes). The Bush Rat seems to have undergone a marine adaptation on some of the St Francis Isles, Eyre Island and Perforated Island: although the Bush Rat is a terrestrial species, surveys during the 1980s recorded bush rats feeding in the piles of seagrass on the western beaches of Eyre Island. It was considered that the species may nest in these piles of marine debris (Robinson et al. 1996).

The Tammar Wallaby is indigenous to Flinders Island and was to be found there until about 1969. The island was used for grazing sheep and the wallabies were considered a pest species that competed for grazing with the sheep. Feral cats were introduced to the island to eliminate the wallabies. The Tammar Wallaby was introduced to Greenly Island (south) in 1905 to provide food for stranded sailors. Their impact on the vegetation is obvious in the marked difference between the north and south islands. Both northern and southern islands support high density populations of Bush Rats.

20 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Australian Sea-lion (Neophoca cinerea) / New Zealand Fur-seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) Two species of seals (pinnipeds) are found in the region. They are the New Zealand Fur-seal and the Australian Sea-lion. The Australian Sea-lion is listed as vulnerable nationally and both mammals are listed as rare in South Australia. The Australian Sea-lion is endemic to Australia and is one of Australia's rarest marine mammals and one of the rarest and most endangered pinnipeds in the world (Gales et al. 1994).

The original range of the Australian Sea-lion stretched from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia to the Victoria/New South Wales border, but its eastern extent has now been substantially reduced. This restriction in range is due to excessive hunting of the species in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The New Zealand Fur-seal ranges from the sub-antarctic islands of Stewart Island, through New Zealand and off Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Australian Sea- lions were hunted to the point of extinction by the early 1800s, as were the more highly prized New Zealand Fur-seals (Dennis and Shaughnessy 1996). Whilst both are no longer threatened by hunting there is considerable concern over why the Australian Sea-lion is making such a slow recovery compared with the New Zealand Fur-seal (Sarre 1998, Shaughnessy 1999).

The Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seal now face different threats, as identified in The Action Plan for Australian Seals (Shaughnessy 1999):

• Fishing Industry. Seals are often caught in fishing nets, both in trawling nets and those of aquaculture tuna farms. Seals have been recorded tangled in bait box straps, trawl netting, monofilament netting, lobster-pot float rope and fishing line and hooks (Page et al. 2004). Page et al. (2004) estimated that 146 sea-lions are entangled nationally each year, and that at least 64 would die as a result of this. It has been predicted that 517 New Zealand Fur-seals become entangled each year, 295 of which die. Due to the rate of population growth of the New Zealand Fur-seal, this is unlikely to inhibit recovery of the species. Young seals are also known to enter rock lobster pots and drown. Fisheries reports suggest that drowning in lobster pots only occurs where pots are adjacent to breeding colonies of seals. In an effort to reduce the interaction between seals and lobster pots, bait protection and seal exclusion devices have been developed and used in rock lobster fisheries. The effectiveness of these devices is yet to be fully evaluated. • Human disturbance. Direct disturbance by humans is known to have short-term impacts on seal behaviour, including increased vigilance and aggressive behaviours toward humans or temporary displacement from haul-out and breeding sites. Disturbance at breeding times often causes shorter lactation times and possibly even abandonment of pups, resulting in their death (McKenzie et al. 2005). Disturbance threat is also brought about by berleying for sharks near Sea-lion colonies that might result in higher predation by sharks. A precautionary attitude should be adopted (Shaughnessy 1999). • Oil spills (potential threat). Despite the wrecking of the Felini K in 1966, no major oil spill has so far affected seal populations in the Western Eyre Peninsula region, but there is potential for spillages to affect seals (Shaughnessy 1999). Oiling of the fur causes loss of insulation, which can lead to death by hypothermia and ingestion of toxic hydrocarbons. Oiling of the fur is likely to present more of a danger for the New Zealand Fur-seal than for the Australian Sea-lion, as sea-lions are less dependant on their fur for thermoregulation. • Disease (potential threat). Disease among the gregarious sea-lion is a potential threat. Other pinniped species in other parts of the world have been known to be decimated by disease, as transmission is so easy within the colonies (Shaughnessy 1999). Most impacts on seal populations are outside the boundaries of the parks and are therefore beyond the scope of this plan to address.

Colonies of the Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seal occur on many islands in the region. The two seal species have been the subject of a cooperative survey and monitoring program by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The recent discovery of numerous small breeding colonies of Australian Sea-lions is particularly significant. Seals are found in all but three of the parks included in this plan (Eba Island, Pigface Island and Avoid Bay Islands Conservation Parks). Of the 17 parks covered, Australian Sea-lions use islands in ten and New Zealand Fur-seals use islands in seven for breeding (Shaughnessy et al. 2005). However, as research into seal life history continues, more breeding sites are being discovered. As such, parks should be monitored throughout the year and where appropriate temporary Prohibited Areas should be established during the breeding seasons.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 21 In some parks, seal counts are carried out as often as twice a year, while other parks are counted as infrequently as once every five years. These counts have been generally carried out by CSIRO with the assistance of DEH staff. With the discovery of new seal breeding colonies, a fresh understanding of the importance and connectivity of these sites is also coming to light.

Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) The stick-nest rat was once broadly distributed throughout the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Australia (Copley 1999, Lee 1995). The mainland population has been extinct since the 1930s (Copley 1995), leaving the only extant population on the Franklin Islands in the Nuyts Archipelago. A captive breeding program began in 1985 at Monarto, which has allowed reintroductions to be made to the Arid Recovery Reserve near Roxby Downs, to two offshore islands off the Eyre Peninsula coast (Reevesby and St Peter Islands), and also to Salutation Island in Shark Bay, Western Australia (Copley 1999, Copley 1995, Lee 1995, Robinson 1998).

The decline in the distribution of the stick-nest rat has been attributed to a number of factors including: habitat destruction by introduced herbivores (particularly sheep and rabbits) (Copley 1999, Copley 1995, Lee 1995); times of drought, believed to have exacerbated adverse conditions caused by introduced stock and rabbits together with the impact of both native and introduced predators (Copley 1999, Copley 1995, Lee 1995); changes in burning regimes post-European settlement (Copley 1995); and nest destruction by humans and stock (Aslin 1972).

The similar Lesser Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus apicalis), had a distribution of comparable range, extending a little more into the arid zone. It is now considered extinct (Copley 1999). The Greater Stick-nest Rat is listed as vulnerable nationally and in South Australia.

The geographic range of the stick-nest rat has been extended from the single extant population on the two Franklin Islands (now both Prohibited Areas to protect the stick-nest rat populations there) to two other Eyre Peninsula offshore islands. In 1990-91, releases were made to Reevesby Island in the Sir Joseph Banks Group and in 1993-94 to St Peter Island, Nuyts Archipelago (Copley 1999, Lee 1995, Robinson 1998). More groups were released onto the Venus Bay Islands (part of the Venus Bay Conservation Park) between 1995 and 1996.

The most distinguishing characteristic of the Stick-nest Rat is its communal nests made of interwoven branches and soft plant material. These are often over a metre high and 1.5 metres across (Copley 1999, Robinson 1998). Colonies of between ten and 20 individuals may inhabit these nests (though usually only two to six), and successive generations often add to or modify the nests which provide protection from the elements and predation (Copley 1999, Robinson 1998). This practice is unique among Australian rodents (Aslin 1972).

The species inhabits perennial shrublands of succulent and semi-succulents that are commonly associated with calcareous soils (Lee 1995). This entirely herbivorous species feeds on the leaves and fruit of succulent plants, particularly Nitre-bush (Nitraria billardierei) and Round-leaved Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii) (Robinson 1998). The species is also known to eat the introduced species Common Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystaleinum) (Watts and Eaves 1976). It is predominantly nocturnal and has well- defined home ranges (Copley 1999, Copley 1995).

A Recovery Plan Draft for the Stick-nest Rat (Copley 1995) has been developed as required by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

A monitoring program has been established for all populations and is continuing (Copley 1995). This program should also take note of any adverse effects increasing populations of stick-nest rats may have on the local environment.

No further reintroductions of Greater Stick-nest Rats to islands are intended at this time, unless deemed necessary (eg. to boost genetic variability between populations).

Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata) Before European settlement the Brush-tailed Bettong was widely distributed throughout most of continental Australia (Nelson et al. 1992). Naturally extant populations are now confined to south­ west Western Australia (Christensen 1998, Nelson et al. 1992). The reasons for the decline of the species are not clearly understood, but are thought to be due to a complex interaction of factors (Saunders and St John 1987). Threats include habitat destruction and modification, predation by foxes and cats, changes in fire regimes, competition for food from rabbits and stock, and

22 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 persecution by humans (Maxwell et al. 1996, Saunders and St John 1987). Reintroductions have now been made in South Australia. The species is only recovering in areas where fox control is being implemented (Maxwell et al. 1996).

The subspecies B. p. penicillata that used to occur in south-eastern Australia (including Eyre Peninsula) is now extinct. Reintroductions from Western Australian stock have been with subspecies B. p. ogilibyi (Maxwell et al. 1996). Brush-tailed Bettongs (also called Woylies) appear not to need to drink, and their main diet is underground fruiting bodies of fungi. This diet is supplemented with bulbs, tubers, seeds, insects and resin (Christensen 1998). A nocturnal, usually solitary species, it takes refuge during the day in nests of grass and bark built under suitable cover (Christensen 1998, Nelson et al. 1992).

Brush-tailed Bettongs were introduced to Eyre Peninsula offshore islands throughout the 1980s. The earliest releases were onto Venus Bay Island A. When this proved successful, further releases were carried out on St Francis Island (40 animals in 1980), Wedge Island (11 animals in 1983) and Baird Bay Island. Ten animals were released to Baird Bay Island in 1982, and were maintaining a population of over 20 individuals until a fox reached the island in 1994 and killed them all. The population on St Francis Island had minimal success, so further reintroductions were carried out.

In 1984 and 1987, 42 and 48 animals respectively were released to St Francis Island, but subsequent extensive monitoring in 1988 found only one bettong. By 1989 it had been agreed that the bettong introduction to St Francis Island had failed for unknown reasons. Since the habitat and food resources are as good as or better than those available on other, successful sites, the most likely cause for the demise of the animals released on this island is predation. This is probably from the population of indigent Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota), but could also be from White-breasted Sea- eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster). In 1989 more bettongs were released onto St Peter Island and monitoring since 1990 has shown that the population is thriving. Introductions have now also occurred on mainland sites, at Venus Bay Conservation Park and Lincoln National Park (Robinson et al. 1996). There was also a colony introduced to Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary (Maxwell et al. 1996).

The introductions to Eyre Peninsula’s offshore islands and the two mainland sites have been part of the strategy to extend the range of the species in an attempt to ensure its long-term survival. The effectiveness of management practices should be monitored. All populations should be regularly monitored.

Genetic studies are extremely important for ensuring the survival of the species. Regardless of the actual numbers of individuals in a population, if there is little genetic variability, the population may not be viable in the longer term. The genetics of each population needs to be monitored to ensure sufficient genetic variability.

The Brush-tailed Bettong does not have a national rating because of successful conservation actions in Western Australia and South Australia. In South Australia the species is rated as rare. A Recovery Plan has been prepared for the species (Start et al. 1995).

Pearson Island Black-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis pearsoni) The Black-footed Rock-wallaby is widespread throughout Australia and has four subspecies, and two as yet unnamed forms. Populations are found in the Kimberley, Mount Isa, MacDonnell Ranges, south-west Western Australia and on five offshore islands (Robinson et al. 1996). The Pearson Island Black-footed Rock-wallaby (listed as vulnerable in South Australia and Australia) is one of the five offshore island populations and was found only on Pearson Island, but has now been successfully introduced to the freehold Wedge and Thistle Islands.

Former distribution was only the larger northern island of Pearson Island, which is part of the Investigator Group. It was accidentally introduced to the smaller Middle Pearson and South Pearson islands in 1960. A research team surveying the island group captured six wallabies and returned them to their base camp on the southern island. All six escaped (four females, one male and one of unknown sex) and a population of up to 150 animals now occupies the island at a density far higher than that on the northern island (Robinson et al. 1996). It has since been intentionally introduced to Thistle Island (in 1974 and 1975) and Wedge Island (in 1975) to increase the range of the species (Eldridge and Close 1998, Robinson et al. 1996).

The sub-species inhabits coastal cliffs especially where caves, boulder piles and water seepages occur in close proximity (Maxwell et al. 1996). Thomas and Delroy (1971) explain that

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 23 groups of 20-30 live together centred on a system of boulders, caves or crevices, which are utilised for protection when disturbed. Pearson Island has no permanent fresh water, but the species is able to get its water requirements from the seepages at cracks in the granite and at the junctions of granites and limestones, as well as from vegetation. Pearson Island’s lack of standing water and its unsuitability for stock grazing has meant that it has remained largely undisturbed by humans. The Pearson Island Black-footed Rock-wallaby differs from other subspecies in that it is much more active during the day (Thomas and Delroy 1971).

No decline has been noted, but the limited distribution makes the subspecies vulnerable to disturbance or chance events (Maxwell et al. 1996). Visitor access should therefore be restricted to limit the possibility of such an event.

The Western Australia Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) is currently preparing a National Recovery Plan for the Black-footed Rock-wallaby, as required by the EPBC Act 1999. A Recovery Outline is included in Maxwell et al. (1996). The overall recovery objective is to establish at least five populations in Australia with a total of at least 1,200 individuals.

Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus nauticus) Two subspecies of the Southern Brown Bandicoot are generally recognised for South Australia (Braithwaite 1998, Copley et al. 1990, Kemper 1990, Paull 1995): Nuyts Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus nauticus), which is confined to East and West Franklin Islands and St Francis Island; and Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus), which occurs in southern Western Australia, southern South Australia, Victoria, southern New South Wales and Tasmania (Braithwaite 1998).

Southern Brown Bandicoots are thought to no longer occur on the mainland of Eyre Peninsula. Their presence is known only from subfossil evidence. These have only been identified to species level and it is not known whether these are subspecies I.o. obesulus or I.o. nauticus.

I.o. nauticus still occurs in the region, being confined to East and West Franklin Islands and St Francis Island. The state rating of vulnerable is assigned only to the species level.

The national rating varies with the subspecies. I.o. obesulus is rated as nationally endangered and I.o. nauticus as nationally vulnerable.

The species inhabits areas with sandy, well-drained soils supporting scrubby vegetation with heathy low shrubs or ground cover (Braithwaite 1998, Maxwell et al. 1996). A nocturnal species, it sleeps during the day in well-protected nests constructed with plant material. It is an intensely territorial and solitary animal, and is a highly opportunistic breeder, reproducing rapidly in favourable conditions. It feeds mainly on insects, earthworms and other invertebrates, as well as fungi and underground plant matter (Braithwaite 1998).

The threats facing the island endemic subspecies I.o. nauticus are different from those of the mainland subspecies. There are no introduced exotic predators (ie. cats or foxes) on the Franklin Islands or St Francis Island. The subspecies appears to be stable, and is not known to have declined in number, except perhaps on St Francis Island, which has had some clearance for cropping (Maxwell et al. 1996). However, the subspecies is considered to be at risk due to its extremely limited distribution and its susceptibility to detrimental conditions (Kemper 1990, Maxwell et al. 1996).

A Recovery Plan has not been prepared for the species, as required by the EPBC Act 1999. A Recovery Outline is included in Maxwell et al. (1996) for the Nuyts Archipelago subspecies.

Birds Offshore islands are a haven for many species of birds, free from the impacts of introduced predators. Many of the islands support breeding populations of marine, coastal and terrestrial birds, some of these listed as threatened species at state and/or national level.

Birds found on the island parks include the Eastern Reef Egret (Ardea sacra) (rare in South Australia), Hooded Plover (Charadrius rubricollis) (vulnerable in South Australia), Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), Stubble Quail (Coturnix novaezelandiae), Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), Banded Landrail (Gallirallus philippensis), White-bellied Sea- eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) (vulnerable in South Australia), Singing Honeyeater (Meliphaga

24 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 virescens), Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila) (rare in South Australia), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (rare in South Australia), White-faced Storm-petrel (Pelagodroma marina), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) (breeding on Jones Island) and Fairy Tern (Sterna nereis).

The islands are also very important breeding areas for the Short-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris), Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) (rare in South Australia, vulnerable in Australia) and Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor).

Problems have been noted with the buildup of Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) and their impact on Crested (Sterna bergii), Fairy and Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) breeding colonies, although this has not been noted in any of the parks covered in this plan. The potential exists however and Silver Gull population levels should be monitored, and any adverse effects on other species should be noted.

A full list of bird species found in the island parks is included in Appendix C.

The White-bellied Sea-eagle and the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) are both moderately common in the parks but are generally uncommon in South Australia, and are vulnerable to human interference. The availability of undisturbed coastal cliff habitats and rocky islands makes the area a significant breeding refuge for these species. The White-bellied Sea-Eagle, state endangered and regionally vulnerable, is a large, strikingly attractive eagle, with a wingspan of between 1.8 and 2.2m (Dennis and Lashmar 1996). The diet of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle varies with location, but it is a predator of other birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and carrion (Blakers et al. 1984). Birds form pairs for life and are mostly sedentary once a home range has been established, although young immature birds can disperse widely (Clunie 1994). Population decline of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle has been recorded and attributed to encroachment into and disturbance of the species habitat via human habitation, recreational activities and industries, such as mining, tourism, forestry and agriculture.

The state endangered and regionally rare Osprey feed exclusively on fish (Robinson et al. 1996). Both species are able to coexist (such as on Ward Island), thanks to a lack of direct competition. As with the Sea-eagle, pairs may return to the same nest site each year.

Nests are situated below cliff rims overlooking the sea, or (for the Osprey) on rock stacks, often in places inaccessible from the land. White-bellied Sea-Eagles display acute sensitivity to disturbance from above the nest, and will readily abandon the nest if disturbed during the nest repair/building stage, during incubation, or when the young are small (Dennis and Lashmar 1996). Ospreys are also highly vulnerable to disturbance. The protection of breeding sites from disturbance is important for the survival of this species. As such, recognised breeding sites should be designated Prohibited Areas, either year round or throughout the breeding season.

The Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) declined dramatically in abundance due to their value as food to early European settlers, destruction of their offshore island breeding habitat and competition for summer grazing habitat with farmers, and was close to extinction by the mid­ 20th century (Alexander 1999). However, protection of breeding habitat and prevention of hunting have resulted in recovery and regular monitoring has shown a steady increase in the size of the Eyre Peninsula population to an estimated 7,400 individuals in 2002 (Delroy et al. 1989, Robinson and Delroy 1986, Robinson et al. 1982, Robinson et al. 1995; Stokes et al. 2001). The species is now listed as rare in South Australia.

The Waldegrave Islands are the location of the second-most important breeding site for the Cape Barren Goose in South Australia, after the Sir Joseph Banks Group. Cape Barren Goose breeding starts at the beginning of winter, allowing enough time for chicks to be fledged before the grasses start to dry. Although Cape Barren Geese have not been reported breeding on the islands of the Nuyts Archipelago, their use of similar vegetation types on other islands suggests that they should be capable of using these islands to breed. Cape Barren Geese use the North Veteran and Dorothée Islands as feeding territory.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 25 Reptiles Unlike other taxa, few reptiles have been subject to intensive biological and ecological study. The life histories of fewer than 10 species have been studied and the distribution of individual species are typically extrapolated from a handful of specimen-based museum records (Cogger et al. 1993).

However, research into reptiles has shown that throughout Australia reptiles are threatened by a number of processes including habitat clearance and modification, overgrazing by stock and rabbits, cropping, urban development, and predation by introduced mammals (principally foxes and cats) (Cogger et al. 1993).

A list of all reptile species found on the islands is provided in Appendix D.

The Carpet Python subspecies M.s. imbricata occurs in south-west Western Australia and on St Francis Island in the Nuyts Archipelago. Another subspecies M.s. spilota occurs in coastal New South Wales, and M.s. variegata occurs throughout the rest of continental Australia with the exception of southern Victoria, the arid centre and the west (Cogger 1996, Cogger et al. 1993).

In South Australia, M.s. imbricata occurs only on St Francis Island. The Carpet Pythons of St Francis Island are occasionally found draped in bushes. They kill their prey, such as bandicoots and seabird chicks, by constriction (Robinson et al. 1996).

The species is thought to be threatened by stock overgrazing and the clearance of habitat for agriculture (Cogger et al. 1993). Some years ago, Carpet Pythons were being illegally removed from the island and sold as pets by local fishermen. In an effort to combat this, many pythons were fitted with microchips to identify any that might turn up in the pet trade. This seems to have been an effective long-term deterrent and management tool (Armstrong pers. comm.).

A Recovery Outline for the Western Australian subspecies (Morelia spilota imbricata) which also occurs on St Francis Island is included in Maxwell et al. (1996).

The Black Tiger-snake (Notechis scutatus) is found across much of southern South Australia, including many of its offshore islands. Those snakes found on islands tend to be markedly different from mainland animals, in body size, scale counts and colouration (Robinson et al. 1996).

Many Gould’s Monitors (Varanus gouldii) were captured on the mainland and brought to St Peter Island by an early owner in the hope of controlling the snake ‘threat’. The snake and monitor populations seemed to have reached a stable interaction, and the Adders and Tiger-snakes are not at threat. There is no need to remove Gould’s Monitors from the island, but population levels of all three species should be monitored to ensure they remain balanced.

The isolated nature of the islands, along with the presence of near relatives to these reptiles on the mainland, makes these animals perfect candidates for studies on island biogeography and evolution. Such research will be encouraged by DEH.

Marine Fauna Since many of the parks covered in this plan extend to the low water mark, fauna that inhabit tidal pools, rocky shores and beaches of the intertidal zones are also incorporated. Study of these fauna should be encouraged.

On a 2002 survey of the St Francis Isles, 26 new species of underwater fauna were discovered (Murray-Jones et al. 2003). This highlights the need for further aquatic surveys of the island shelves. Since the boundaries of the parks do not extend beyond the low water mark, this is generally not within the scope of this management plan. However, the boundaries of Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park, Eyre Island and St Peter Island include marine areas.

The proposed Marine Protected Areas that will surround most of the conservation parks will add further protection to marine species of conservation significance.

26 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Objectives Protect the breeding and haul-out habitats of the Australian Sea-lion and the New Zealand Fur- seal and minimise the threats and disturbance factors for Sea-lions and Fur-seals.

Conserve key threatened species through the protection of breeding areas and important habitat.

Encourage research into dynamics of populations of threatened species, including genetic variability, for their ongoing management.

Strategies • Restrict access to seal breeding sites during the breeding season to keep pup mortality rates as low as possible. • Encourage research to refine knowledge of the basic biology, genetic structure, distribution, behaviour and movements and resource requirements (eg. critical habitat) of populations. • Assist with the recovery of Australian Sea-lions and New Zealand Fur-seals through assisting with relevant educational and management initiatives outlined in The Action Plan for Australian Seals and other plans and programs. • Develop and implement management programs for protected species. • Monitor all populations of Greater Stick-nest Rats, Brush-tailed Bettongs, Southern Brown Bandicoots and the Pearson Island population of Black-footed Rock Wallabies. • Avoid disturbance during breeding periods, especially for the White-bellied Sea-eagle, and restrict access to sites where necessary. • Monitor the impact of Silver Gull populations on breeding colonies. • Monitor reptile populations to establish trends in populations over time, threatening processes and other ecological aspects of the species. • Encourage research into the effect on native vegetation of the introduced Tammar Wallaby population on Greenly Island and future management strategies. • Increase community awareness of species and their conservation requirements. • Encourage research into island biogeography and evolution, including genetic variability for restocking purposes. • Encourage research into the distribution and status of marine fauna within close proximity of the park boundaries.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 27 5.4 Introduced Plants Weeds are regarded as one of the major threats to indigenous plant communities, and weed invasion is seen as both a symptom and cause of their degradation. Some of the island conservation parks contain several introduced plant species that threaten the integrity of the native vegetation communities, some of which are declared and require control under section 181 of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. Introduced plant species tend to be found only on islands close enough to the mainland to have seeds dispersed to them by wind or by birds, or islands that were cleared for agriculture. Islands on which these species occur are listed in Appendix A.

The most notable invasive species are African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) and Common Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). These species are particularly invasive. African Boxthorn was introduced to many of these islands as a means of fencing for pastoralists and forms tall open shrublands and it has also invaded many of the islands closer to the mainland. Eba, Pigface and Waldegrave and St Peter Islands all host African Boxthorn infestations. The Friends of St Peter Island control the Boxthorn on St Peter Island to some degree, using cut and swab methods, but infestations on other islands remain untreated. Introduced grasslands dominate many of the islands that were once thought to be agriculturally suitable. On some islands the native vegetation is slowly reclaiming the grasslands. Greater Stick-nest Rats have been known to consume iceplant, but their impact on any infestations is believed to be minimal. Common Iceplant is still found on Franklin Islands, where Greater Stick-nest Rats have a thriving native population.

Objective Control exotic plants within the parks, especially those known to invade native vegetation.

Strategies • Control African Boxthorn on St Peter Island to prevent infestations to areas of native vegetation. • Map the locations of invasive pest plants as an integral part of vegetation mapping in the reserves, undertaking control if required. • Fulfil the obligations of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and investigate funding opportunities to support pest plant control. • Ensure that visitors to the islands are aware of protocols to avoid weed dispersal.

5.5 Introduced Animals Introduced animals recorded on the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula include the House Mouse (Mus domesticus), European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) (record from tracks only), Skylark (Alauda atvensis), Feral Pigeon (Columba livia), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Islands on which these animals occur are listed in Appendices B and C.

Predators such as foxes and competitors such as rabbits, rats and pigeons have a considerable impact on native mammals, birds and reptiles. Careful management, through integrated pest control programs, is the best way to ensure that pest animal numbers are reduced with minimal impact on native flora and fauna. As these Conservation Parks are islands, any pest plant and animal management is likely to provide long-term protection if care is taken not to allow any further introductions of pest species. Therefore, DEH staff should eliminate introduced animals as opportunity permits.

Evidence of the presence of a Red Fox has been found on Eba Island (tracks) and Baird Bay Island (tracks and bettong destruction). In both cases there is a connecting sandbar at low tide that allows terrestrial animals to cross from the mainland to the islands. Skeletal remains of rabbits have also been found on Baird Bay Island. House mice were introduced to St Peter Island during the early stages of settlement, and currently have a strong population there. They are also found on Baird Bay Island. Skeletal remains of a Black Rat (Rattus rattus) have been found on St Francis Island, but no population exists there today. Cats were reputed to have been introduced to St Francis Island, but no evidence remains (Robinson et al. 1996).

The introduced birds can be found on most of the inshore islands (Eba, Pigface, Jones and Eyre Islands). On these islands they may be resident or visitors, so little can be done to manage them. The

28 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 same birds are also found on the larger and more remote St Peter and St Francis Islands. These birds are more likely to be resident, so management could try to control populations. However, their impacts are not considered to be great, the main issue being the weed dispersal (which many native birds also do).

Objective Control and manage introduced fauna within the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula.

Strategies • Monitor introduced animal populations within the parks and devise control programs in accordance with priorities, taking into account the benefits to biodiversity versus the costs of possible adverse impacts on native wildlife and other off-target impacts of such programs. • Monitor the impacts of introduced fauna on the islands, including herbivory, seed dispersal and competition for resources with native wildlife. • Provide information on the adverse impacts of introduced animals to increase community awareness.

6 MANAGING FIRE The risk of fire on offshore islands is low. Given the remoteness and logistical problems associated with fighting fire in these locations it is likely that most fires will burn out naturally. Any response to limit the impact of fire on offshore islands will be determined after consideration of the potential impact, prevailing weather conditions and resources. Consequently, a fire management plan is not required. Prescribed burning for ecological or protection purposes will not take place.

The largest risk is thought to be human-caused fires. While no camping or fires are permitted on most of the islands, St Peter Island has some provision for tourism, and campfires are permitted in designated locations outside of the CFS fire danger period. These issues are further covered in Section 8.2 Visitor Activities and Facilities.

There have been human-lit fires on Greenly and Pearson Islands in the past and a lightning strike fire on Pearson in April 1975, which has some post-fire vegetation monitoring photopoints on it.

If a fire were to occur on an island, through natural or human causes, the biggest threat would be to habitat for terrestrial animals. Any island on which a fire does occur should be surveyed to assess the extent of damage and, if deemed appropriate, a program to monitor the revival of flora and fauna on the island should be established.

Objective Manage fire to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity and the protection of natural, cultural and built values.

Strategy • Monitor the incidence of fire and impacts on fauna habitats. • Re-sample and photograph fire monitoring photopoints on North Pearson Island opportunistically and lodge data with DEH.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 29 7 MANAGING CULTURAL HERITAGE 7.1 Indigenous Heritage Most of the islands in this plan were traditionally associated with the Wirangu and the Nauo people (Tindale 1974). The only islands not included within the boundaries of Tindale's map are Greenly Island and Rocky Island (South).

Wirangu and Nauo Culture and Heritage The area including Avoid Bay Islands, Cap Island, Topgallant Island and Flinders Island in the Investigator Group, Rocky Island (North), Waldegrave Islands and Whidbey Isles Conservation Parks was traditionally associated with the Nauo people (Tindale 1974). The area including Eba Island, Isles of St Francis, Nicolas Baudin Conservation Park, Nuyts Archipelago, Nuyts Reef, Olive Island, Pigface Island and Sinclair Island Conservation Parks was traditionally associated with the Wirangu people (Tindale 1974). Jones Island in Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park falls within traditional Nauo country, while Baird Bay Island is in traditional Wirangu country (Tindale 1974). The Ward Islands, Pearson Island, the Veteran Islands, Dorothée Island, Greenly Island and South Rocky Island fall outside the borders identified by Tindale (1974).

For Wirangu and Nauo people, land and waters have many interconnected complex meanings and values. The significance of land and waters is central to their lives: at birth, death, ceremonies and socially, whilst hunting, gathering camping, and travelling.

Today, Wirangu and Nauo people still practise their culture and language. Some of the language and traditional stories have been recorded. To date, the full extent of Aboriginal heritage on the Island Parks of the Western Eyre Peninsula has not been comprehensively researched.

Due to historical or cultural reasons, any knowledge of the cultural heritage of the region may be privileged to selected Wirangu and Nauo people and therefore unable to be recorded. Given the lack of existing information, it is considered important that further research be undertaken in order to gain a better understanding of the Aboriginal occupancy and use of the area.

Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 The purpose of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 is to protect and preserve Aboriginal sites, objects and remains. “Aboriginal site” and “Aboriginal object” are defined to mean an area of land or an object that is of significance according to Aboriginal tradition or that is of significance to Aboriginal archaeology, anthropology or history. The Department for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (DAARE) maintains a Central Archive, including the Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects. There are no sites listed on the Central Archive for the Island Parks of the Western Eyre Peninsula. No comprehensive survey of these parks has so far been undertaken, however, and there may be unidentified Aboriginal sites, objects or remains in these parks. In carrying out the activities and strategies envisaged in this plan, DEH will ensure that it complies with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA).

Objectives Conserve and protect significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

Develop and strengthen Aboriginal involvement in the Island Parks of the Western Eyre Peninsula area.

Strategies • Consult with the traditional owners in decisions regarding the management of Aboriginal heritage. • Identify and protect any Aboriginal sites, objects and remains in cooperation with the traditional owners, DAARE and relevant authorities. • In consultation with the traditional owners, submit Aboriginal sites and stories that relate to the parks for inclusion on the DAARE Central Archive. • Seek local Aboriginal community support to improve DEH staff understanding of local Aboriginal people’s traditional association with the parks and their surrounding areas.

30 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 7.2 Non-Indigenous Heritage The non-indigenous heritage of western Eyre Peninsula began in the early 17th century when the Dutch navigator Pieter Nuyts reached the Great Australian Bight. Most of the coastline of Eyre Peninsula and its offshore islands was recorded almost 200 years later by the Flinders and Baudin expeditions when they surveyed and mapped much of the coastline of western Eyre Peninsula, naming many of the islands in the process.

There are no places listed on the State Heritage Register. With the exception of the Isles of St Francis Conservation Park, no systematic study has been carried out to assess the heritage value of any of the islands off western Eyre Peninsula. Nonetheless, there is some physical evidence of the pre and post-colonial history of the area that may require protection appropriate to its significance.

Whaling and sealing took place throughout coastal South Australia from as early as 1804 up until the 1920s, but these activities were not well documented. Whaling sites have been located on many islands in the region, and it is expected that more would be found with systematic study. Sealing is likely to have occurred on all islands across the state, but scant physical evidence has been found thus far, again highlighting the importance of a dedicated, systematic survey.

Pastoral use of many of the larger islands dates from 1859, when Robert Barr Smith first leased St Francis Island, St Peter Island and several other outlying islands in the group. Most of these leases were used for sheep grazing, but on some islands attempts were made to grow crops of cereals and vegetables. Evidence of this history is found in ruins, yards, wells and waterholes. Many of the structures were constructed with limestone, and are in advanced states of deterioration. Several of the islands in the region were mined for penguin guano in the late 1800s, with many of these islands bearing extremely deep guano caves. Guano was an available and useful commodity, and could be sold to the mainland as well as used on the island.

The homestead on St Peter Island originally built in the late 19th century for use by pastoralists, has now been upgraded and provides accommodation for DEH staff and tourist groups (see Section 8.2 Visitor Activities and Facilities). The building reflects the period of past and present use on the island and should be maintained.

West Franklin Island has an historic timber-framed corrugated iron hut probably dating from the pastoral era which should be documented and then allowed to decay naturally.

The emphasis for dealing with ruins on the islands should be on surveying and recording sites, rather than preserving the structures. Some vandalism has occurred to buildings on St Francis Island.

The western Eyre Peninsula coastline and islands were the scene of over 70 shipwrecks, at least eight of these occurring in the 1800s. Many of these shipwrecks give valuable information on the history of the area. All shipwrecks over 75 years old are automatically placed under the protection of both the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 and the state Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981.

Objective Gain a better understanding of the extent of non-indigenous heritage within the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula.

Strategies • Survey and document sites of cultural heritage significance with emphasis on the location and protection of early sealing and whaling sites. • Manage, stabilise or restore buildings on St Peter, St Francis and Franklin Islands as deemed necessary.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 31 8 MANAGING TOURISM AND RECREATION 8.1 Visitor Access Regulation of access to most of the islands in the region has not been considered in the past, primarily due to the lack of interest in and accessibility to the islands. With increasing call for tourism and scientific research opportunities to some of the islands, consideration should be given to limiting access to areas of high conservation value. This has been previously covered in Section 4 Zoning. With the exception of the Franklin Islands, islands in the Nuyts Archipelago will continue to be accessible for camping.

Both of the Franklin Islands in the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park have been declared Prohibited Areas to protect the relict population of Greater Stick-nest Rats, the last natural population in the world. Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park is a Prohibited Area to protect the Australian Sea-lion breeding site there.

Jones Island, in Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park, should be declared a Prohibited Area to protect the breeding colonies of Australian Sea-lions.

Other areas within the parks may be declared Prohibited Areas at any time deemed necessary to prevent the disturbance of critical breeding sites. This will be determined by DEH on advice of any relevant research bodies.

St Francis has some tracks recorded from Petrel Bay to the lighthouse (Figure 6), but these are not in use (the lighthouse being serviced by the Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) by helicopter). The tracks on St Francis Island are becoming overgrown, as is the airstrip. Marker cones still designate edges of airstrip and are useful for future monitoring of natural vegetation change on this formerly cleared area.

The only island with any roads or tracks that are in use is St Peter Island. Approximately 10km of tracks on St Peter Island (Figure 7) are used by DEH staff to access most points of the island. A four wheel drive is kept on the island for this purpose. A proposal has been forwarded by a local tourist operator to run tours to and on the island. It is envisaged that some of these tracks would be used for this as well. No more roads or tracks are proposed for the region. In order to protect biodiversity values, eg bird breeding habitats, some areas of the island may be declared Prohibited Areas.

Many of the islands can be accessed by boat in calm weather, and recreational fisherman often fish in the waters around the parks. Commercial boats often shelter in the lee of the islands during heavy storms.

Some of the islands are only accessible by helicopter.

Objective Minimise visitor impacts on islands, while ensuring that reasonable access is provided to the islands in a way that does not compromise natural values or the objectives of the management plan.

Strategies • Monitor access to islands to ensure that natural values are not compromised. • Monitor numbers of visitors, their impacts and personal interests for future management. • Maintain the existing 4WD tracks on St Peter Island. • Areas of high conservation value within Nuyts Archipelago and Isles of St Francis Conservation Parks should be prohibited to tourism activities. • Declare Jones Island a Prohibited Area.

32 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 8.2 Visitor Activities and Facilities Most of South Australia’s offshore islands are too small for tourism infrastructure. Those that are large enough are generally privately owned or already have some development.

Historically, these islands have attracted minimal tourism and few visit the parks at present. Local people from the Ceduna area are known to visit St Peter, Goat and occasionally St Francis Islands, though they tend to cause minimal impact. Some visits are known to be made to the Franklin Islands (a Prohibited Area). People are known to visit Waldegrave Island, and Pearson Island is visited periodically by fishers and charter tours. It is thought that from time to time local people with an interest in nature observation visit some of the easily accessible inshore islands such as Eba and Pigface Islands. Most visitors to other islands require and obtain scientific permits, particularly those visiting Pearson Island. The few visitors who use the parks understand and appreciate their natural values, respect their primary role for nature conservation and have minimal impact on the environment.

The current pattern of low-key use is compatible with the primary role of the parks for biodiversity conservation and the few people who do come to the parks are self-sufficient. In particular, the existence of venomous snakes on many of the islands prevents their viable development as tourism destinations. The public tend to be aware of the many venomous snakes on most of these islands, which acts as a deterrent to visitors. There is also the considerable danger of falling into shearwater nests. Consequently there is no immediate demand or requirement for built facilities and none are planned for the term of this management plan.

Currently there is no provision for public visitation on most of the islands and general camping is permitted only on those islands in the Natural Area Zone (see Section 4 Zoning). There is no need for this approach to change.

It is envisaged that the homestead and tracks and roads on St Peter Island could be used for commercial tourism.

Generally speaking, fires would not be permitted in any of the parks. However, some scope may remain for tourism operators to have fires in the appropriate season. In this case, all firewood must be supplied by the operator – no wood is to be collected on any of the islands.

Recreational fishing occurs in the waters around many of the islands. This is thought to have potential impact on the species of both land and water through entanglement, disturbance and ingestion of fishing gear by protected species. Fishers should be made aware of the possible dangers to animal populations (Section 5.3 Native Fauna) and the impacts of fishing should be monitored.

Objective Ensure appropriate visitor access to island parks is maintained while ensuring conservation values are not compromised.

Strategies • Restrict visitor use of the islands to those in the Nuyts Archipelago, and manage accordingly. • Educate the public to the dangers of venomous snakes on many of the islands of Nuyts Archipelago. • Maintain the visitor infrastructure on St Peter Island to provide opportunities for minimal impact tourism. • Monitor impacts caused by recreational fishers and promote awareness of the possible dangers to animal populations.

8.3 Commercial Tourism Several commercial tour operators utilise the areas of the Western Eyre Peninsula islands. All operators are required to apply for a Commercial Licence, pursuant to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Permits are issued to applicants who meet DEH requirements. Many islands will not be appropriate for tourism. Commercial tourism will be restricted to those islands suitable for visitors, as outlined in Section 8.1 Visitor Access. However, some activities can be managed and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 33 Some operators have been known to take clients to areas within parks that have been declared Prohibited Areas. Ongoing liaison is required to ensure operators are aware of the limitations of access.

Objective Regulate commercial tours within the parks to ensure their activities are compatible with park values and comply with the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and this management plan.

Strategies • Promote awareness amongst tour operators and encourage communication with DEH staff. • Issue Commercial Licences to tour operators, subject to compliance with this plan and the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

34 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 North Point NewNew DolphinDolphin (1982)(1982)

East Point Petrel Cove

West Point WaitemataWaitemata (1860)(1860)

East Bay

Trivia Bay

0 0.5 1 kilometres South Point

Figure 6

St Francis Island

Features

LEGEND 4WD Track Landing strip (abandoned) Isles of St Francis Conservation Park Additional Land Lighthouse and Radio Beacon (AMSA) House ruins Shipwreck

Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS Date: 22 September, 2005 JohnJohn andand MaryMary (1914)(1914)

Bob Bay unknownunknown (1875)(1875)

0 1 2 kilometres

Figure 7

St Peter Island

Features

LEGEND 4WD Track Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park Additional Land Old Homestead ruin Homestead Shearing shed Shipwreck Whaling station

Map designed and created by Reserve Planning using PAMS Date: 22 September 2005 9 MANAGING RESOURCE USE 9.1 Aquaculture and Commercial Fishing Only Nicolas Baudin Conservation Park extends beyond the low water mark (LWM) to include water within park boundaries. No aquaculture is permitted within park boundaries, but some aquaculture occurs very close to the parks. Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) farming has been developed within the waters of the Nuyts Archipelago in two areas - one to the north and east of Eyre Island, and one to the north and south of the north-eastern spit of St Peter Island. Two Pacific Oyster aquaculture sites also lay to the immediate north of East Waldegrave Island, the further of which is also licensed to carry Native Oysters (Ostrea angasi), Dough Boy Scallops (Mimachlamys asperrimus), Queen Scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) and Commercial (King) Scallops (Pecten fumatus). Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis laevigata) is farmed at a site to the north of East Waldegrave Island and another to the east of Nicolas Baudin Island. Four more abalone sites are currently pending approval, two to the north of East Waldegrave Island, and another two between Goat and St Peter Islands. Furthermore, licences are issued upon application for endorsed abalone divers to dive for abalone inside the Nicolas Baudin Conservation Park. This will only be allowed for a period that does not coincide with any sea-lion breeding activity. Most aquaculture in the state falls under one of a series of Management Policies developed by the Aquaculture Group of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA Aquaculture), such as the Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Management Plan. These policies were developed within the context of the Environment Protection Act 1993 and the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003. This policy requires all reasonable and practicable measures to be taken to avoid the discharge or deposit of waste into any waters or onto a place from which it is reasonably likely waste will enter any waters. The Elliston Aquaculture Management Plan indicates that a buffer zone of one kilometre must be allowed between conservation parks and any aquaculture development. Aquaculture around the Western Eyre Peninsula continues to expand. The general impacts of aquaculture on the parks include netting, ropes and other debris washing up on beaches. DEH will continue to work with PIRSA and aquaculture managers to minimise impact on park values. Objective Ensure that aquaculture activities do not compromise park values. Strategies • Liaise with PIRSA (Aquaculture) and the aquaculture industry to assist with the appropriate implementation of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Management Plan and its amendments. • Review new applications for aquaculture tenure outside of the parks and monitor the impacts of existing aquaculture to ensure there is minimal impact upon the biological values of the parks. • Encourage aquaculture farming to incorporate a buffer zone around park boundaries to minimise risk of harmful interactions with seal and sea lion breeding colonies. • Assess applications for commercial fishing within park boundaries on a case by case basis. 9.2 Exploration and Mining None of the conservation parks covered by this management plan provide for rights of access for prospecting, exploration or mining under State mining legislation. Furthermore, any development or activity associated with mining operations through other legislation will not be allowed on any islands covered by this plan, due to the importance of the islands for conservation and consistent with general access restrictions. Objective Ensure that park values are not compromised by any exploration or mining activities. Strategy • Prohibit access to all islands in this management plan for any activities associated with exploration and mining.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 37 9.3 Leases and Licences There is a shack site on St Peter Island which pre-dates the proclamation of the park. In return for general care-taking on the island and assistance with maintenance, the lessee (a former farmer on St Peter Island) has a life tenure, after which the lease expires and control of the site reverts to DEH. Objective Ensure that the shack site on St Peter Island does not compromise park values. Strategy • Enforce shack lease covenants for the term of the lease. 9.4 Public Utilities The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) operates Navaid facilities on St Francis Island, North Pearson Island and the southern-most island of the Four Hummocks Islands. The sites on North Pearson and Four Hummocks Islands are owned by the Authority and are not formally part of the park. The Authority leases the site on St Francis Island from DEH. The current maintenance regime on these islands is to have an AMSA maintenance contractor visit them on a yearly basis, unless there is a reported outage of the service, in which case they will then visit the site to assess and repair the fault. All visits are conducted by helicopter. AMSA will forward its annual work program for South Australia to DEH for review and comment. DEH can then contact AMSA and advise of any issues that may arise from the scheduled timings (eg. potential clashes between the schedule and on-site breeding and moulting patterns). In the event of a Navaid becoming unserviceable, AMSA contractors will be allowed to perform emergency repairs, regardless of season, after endeavouring to contact DEH staff to receive advice on any current issues that should be taken into account in an attempt to minimise disturbance. AMSA also owns and maintains a site on Evans Island (which is part of the Nuyts Archipelago, but is not in the conservation park). There is a marine navigation aid located on Flinders Island under the responsibility of Transport SA (TSA). Objective Ensure that maintenance of marine navigation aids does not impact negatively on the natural assets of the parks. Strategies • Ensure relevant authorities liaise with DEH with regard to the maintenance of marine navigation aids. • Liaise with AMSA and TSA to minimise affect on wildlife during servicing of infrastructure (eg avoid servicing during breeding seasons). 9.5 Management Infrastructure Management infrastructure is absent on most of the islands in the region and there are no requirements that call for additional infrastructure to be installed. St Peter Island in the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park has serviceable roads and buildings, some of which date back to settlement history. These roads are now used mainly for research, tourism and maintenance (Figure 7). The homestead is a three bedroom house of timber and galvanised iron construction with an iron roof. The homestead has water tanks, toilets, showers, kitchen, laundry and gas facilities for lighting, heating and cooking. A shed on the island is used to house a vehicle used by DEH staff. There is a largely abandoned steel garage in fair condition on Franklin Island, originally established as a base camp for Stick-nest Rat ecology projects, occasionally used for the storage of tools. Objective Maintain infrastructure necessary for effective park management. Strategy • Maintain the homestead, shack and sheds on St Peter and Franklin Island as required for ongoing management purposes.

38 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 10 INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY Friends and Volunteers Volunteer support and community-based involvement that conserves and improves biodiversity and cultural values and establishes quality management of recreational use has become an essential component of park management. DEH acknowledges and supports the active volunteer contribution of the Friends of Coffin Bay National Park, the Friends of St Peter and St Francis Island Parks, the Friends of Sceale Bay and the Friends of Streaky Bay District Parks. In particular, the management of the parks has been assisted through extensive weed control programs on St Peter Island.

It is important for DEH to continue communication with Friends groups and other volunteers, provide support and assistance, including legal and policy advice, technical, planning and management direction.

Regional Communities and Park Neighbours DEH supports and promotes partnerships and cooperative management arrangements to establish integrated natural resource management. This requires the development of effective working relationships with government agencies, local authorities, non-government organisations and the local community. With regard to the Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula, this involves ongoing management links to the Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Elliston and Lower Eyre Peninsula District Councils, Western and Southern Eyre Peninsula Animal and Plant Control Boards, Eyre Peninsula NRM Board, Far West Consultative Committee, Wirangu and Nauo peoples, Friends of Coffin Bay National Park, the Friends of St Peter and St Francis Island Parks, the Friends of Sceale Bay and the Friends of Streaky Bay District Parks, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA, Transport SA, AMSA, Eyre Peninsula Community Alliance and Tourism Eyre Peninsula.

Researchers Many of the strategies of this plan focus on the monitoring and research of threatened species. Researchers from private and public bodies should be encouraged to work on species found in the island parks.

Aboriginal Partnerships DEH is committed to reconciliation and to the development of partnerships with the Wirangu and Nauo communities to ensure that the island parks are managed in a way that respects both contemporary and traditional culture, knowledge and skills. Partnerships may involve the delivery of programs that promote reconciliation, cultural awareness, indigenous employment and training, cooperative management and indigenous cultural heritage management in parks.

Objective Develop and encourage community support for the management of island parks off the western Eyre Peninsula.

Strategies • Provide opportunities for volunteers and community groups by facilitating the implementation of programmed activities. • Encourage research into the natural and cultural heritage of the island parks.

• Involve representative Wirangu and Nauo Aboriginal traditional owners in the management of the park and in the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 39 11 MANAGING RESERVE TENURE The addition of land to the parks will be considered where it provides significant management, nature conservation or recreation benefits.

To protect important breeding sites for seals and other animals, all islands in the parks should be proclaimed at least to low water mark. All Western Eyre Peninsula islands currently included in the parks system have been proclaimed to LWM with the exception of Baird Bay Island, Jones Island, Pearson Island and Unnamed Rock (Whidbey group). Allotments 1 and 2 in Deposited Plan 33124 of Baird Bay Islands go to LWM but are not currently part of Baird Bay Islands Conservation Park. The other islands listed have not been surveyed to LWM.

The Watchers (Waldegrave Islands) have had the LWM land around them proclaimed as part of the park, but according to Gazette notices the main body of the islands (H850400 S896, 897) are not included in the parks. It is assumed that this is a planning oversight.

There are a number of smaller, less significant (in terms of commercial or agricultural value) islands that are adjacent to the parks but not part of the parks. In some cases these islets have not even been surveyed. It is now known that many of these islands represent important breeding and haul-out sites for Australian Sea-lion and New Zealand Fur-seals. The locations of these islands are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Islands in the region not currently part of but suitable for inclusion in the parks system.

Closest CP Closest Island Longitude Latitude Cadastre Area (km2)

Avoid Bay Islands CP Black Rocks 135.280° -34.610° - 0.0045 Isles of St Francis CP St Francis 133.262° -32.505° H844600 S809 0.0574 Isles of St Francis CP St Francis 133.306° -32.522° - 0.0154 Isles of St Francis CP Lacy 133.339° -32.369° - 0.0284 Nuyts Archipelago CP Goat 133.531° -32.316° - 0.0182 ‘Breakwater Reef’ Nuyts Archipelago CP St Peter 133.561° -32.321° - 0.0116 ‘Gliddon Reef’ Nuyts Archipelago CP St Peter 133.608° -32.304° - 0.0062 Nuyts Archipelago CP West Franklin 133.633° -32.471° - 0.0151 Nuyts Archipelago CP West Franklin 133.644° -32.467° - 0.0402 ‘Small South Franklin’ Nuyts Archipelago CP East Franklin 133.693° -32.435° - 0.0963 ‘Small North East Franklin’ Olive Island CP Olive 133.971° -32.719° - 0.0032 Olive Island CP Olive 133.972° -32.716° - 0.0043 Olive Island CP Olive 133.974° -32.714° - 0.0026 Olive Island CP Olive 133.998° -32.706° - 0.0054

Further useful additions to the parks would be Bird Rock in the Nuyts Archipelago (3.78ha, 133.617°, -32.183°, H840300 S799) the unallotted Crown Land of Evans Island, in the Nuyts Archipelago (116ha, 133.482°, -32.376°, D19501 A2) and the southern-most island of the Four Hummocks Islands, in the Whidbey Group (19ha, 135.034°, -34.784°, H842500 S1511). Consideration should be given to proclaiming these areas as part of the appropriate parks and managing them in accordance with

40 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 this plan. Evans Island negotiations should include representatives from AMSA, to ensure continued helicopter access to the island for maintenance of the navigation aid.

Consideration should be given to the inclusion in the reserve system of the other small islands and reefs throughtout the region that are known Sea lion haulouts (eg Flinders Reef, Gaolen Reef)

Objective Achieve maximum biodiversity conservation and optimal reserve boundaries for management purposes.

Strategies • Incorporate land to LWM for Baird Bay Islands, Jones Island, Pearson Island and Unnamed Rock (Whidbey Group).

• Add the main body of the Watchers to Waldegrave Island Conservation Park.

• Add to nearby parks the islets listed in table 1 to protect important breeding and haul-out areas for Australian Sea-lions and New Zealand Fur-seals.

• Add Evans Island and Bird Rock to the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park.

• Add the south-most island of the Four Hummocks to the Whidbey Isles Conservation Park.

• Manage all land additions to the park according to the principles outlined in this management plan.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 41 42 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 12 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES STRATEGY PRIORITY DURATION Zoning Designate and adopt the prescribed zoning arrangement. High Short Managing Natural Heritage GEOLOGY, SOILS AND LANDFORM Take soil stability into account when planning for, and undertaking Medium Ongoing management activities. NATIVE VEGETATION Monitor recruitment of native vegetation on islands where historic Medium Ongoing clearing has occurred. Identify and monitor populations of rare, vulnerable and High Ongoing endangered plant species. Develop and implement plans, if required, for their conservation. Encourage research into impacts of herbivory by native and Medium Ongoing introduced species on vegetation, and implement remedial management programs where necessary. Encourage research into the impacts of the accidental High Ongoing introductions to Central and South Pearson Islands. Ensure that raw materials brought onto the islands are free of High Ongoing Phytophthora and that vehicles, equipment and footwear are clean. Opportunistically re-photograph from established photopoints to Medium Ongoing assist ongoing management of vegetation. NATIVE FAUNA Restrict access to seal breeding sites during the breeding season to High Ongoing keep pup mortality rates as low as possible. Encourage research to refine knowledge of the basic biology, Medium Ongoing genetic structure, distribution, behaviour and movements and resource requirements (eg. critical habitat) of populations. Assist with the recovery of Australian Sea-lions and New Zealand Fur- Medium Ongoing seals through assisting with relevant educational and management initiatives outlined in The Action Plan for Australian Seals and other plans and programs. Develop and implement management programs for protected High Ongoing species. Monitor all populations of Greater Stick-nest Rats, Southern Brown Medium Ongoing Bandicoots, Brush-tailed Bettongs and the Pearson Island population of Black-footed Rock-wallabies. Avoid disturbance during breeding periods, especially for the White- High Ongoing bellied Sea-eagle, and restrict access to sites where necessary. Monitor the impact of Silver Gull populations on breeding colonies. Medium Ongoing Monitor reptile populations to establish trends in populations over Medium Ongoing time, threatening processes and other ecological aspects of the species. Encourage research into the effect on native vegetation of the Medium Short introduced Tammar Wallaby population on Greenly Island and

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 43 STRATEGY PRIORITY DURATION future management strategies. Increase community awareness of species and their conservation High Ongoing requirements. Encourage research into island biogeography and evolution, Medium Ongoing including genetic variability for restocking purposes. Encourage research into the distribution and status of marine fauna Medium Ongoing within close proximity to the park boundaries. INTRODUCED PLANTS Control African Boxthorn on St Peter Island to prevent infestations to High Ongoing areas of native vegetation. Map the locations of invasive pest plants as an integral part of Medium Ongoing vegetation mapping in the reserves, undertaking control where required. Fulfil the obligations of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 High Ongoing and investigate funding opportunities to support pest plant control. Ensure that visitors to the islands are aware of protocols to avoid High Ongoing weed dispersal. INTRODUCED ANIMALS Monitor introduced animal populations within the park and devise Medium Ongoing control programs in accordance with priorities, taking into account the benefits to biodiversity versus the costs of possible adverse impacts on native wildlife and other off-target impacts of such programs. Monitor the impacts of introduced fauna on the islands, including Medium Ongoing herbivory, seed dispersal and competition for resources with native wildlife. Provide information on the adverse impacts of introduced animals Low Ongoing to increase community awareness. Managing Fire Monitor the incidence of fire and impacts on fauna habitats. Re-sample and photograph fire monitoring photopoints on North Low Ongoing Pearson Island opportunistically and lodge data with DEH. Managing Cultural Heritage Consult with the traditional owners in decisions regarding the High Ongoing management of Aboriginal heritage. Identify and protect any Aboriginal sites, objects and remains in High Ongoing cooperation with the traditional owners, DAARE and relevant authorities. In consultation with the traditional owners, submit Aboriginal sites Medium Ongoing and stories that relate to the parks for inclusion on the DAARE Central Archive. Seek local Aboriginal community support to improve DEH staff Medium Ongoing understanding of local Aboriginal people’s traditional connections with the park and their surrounding areas. Survey and document sites of cultural heritage significance with High Ongoing emphasis on the location and protection of early sealing and whaling sites.

44 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 STRATEGY PRIORITY DURATION Manage, stabilise or restore buildings on St Peter, St Francis and Medium Ongoing Franklin Islands as deemed necessary. Managing Tourism and Recreation Monitor access to islands to ensure that natural values are not High Ongoing compromised. Monitor numbers of visitors, their impacts and personal interests for Medium Ongoing future management. Maintain the existing 4WD tracks on St Peter Island. Medium Ongoing Areas of high conservation value within Nuyts Archipelago and Isles High Ongoing of St Francis Conservation Parks should be prohibited to tourism activities. Declare Jones Island a Prohibited Area. High Short Restrict visitor use of the islands to those in the Nuyts Archipelago, High Ongoing and manage accordingly. Educate the public to the dangers of venomous snakes on many of Medium Ongoing the islands in the Nuyts Archipelago Maintain the visitor infrastructure on St Peter Island to provide Medium Ongoing opportunities for minimal impact tourism. Monitor impacts caused by recreational fishers and promote Medium Ongoing awareness of the possible dangers to animal populations. Promote awareness amongst tour operators and encourage Medium Ongoing communication with DEH staff. Issue Commercial Licences to tour operators, subject to compliance Low Ongoing with this plan and the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Managing Resource Use AQUACULTURE AND COMMERCIAL FISHING Liaise with PIRSA (Aquaculture) and the aquaculture industry to assist Medium Ongoing with the appropriate implementation of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Aquaculture Management Plan and its amendments. Review new applications for aquaculture tenure outside of reserves Medium Ongoing and monitor the impacts of existing aquaculture to ensure there is minimal impact upon the biological values of the parks of the Western Eyre Peninsula area. Encourage aquaculture farming to incorporate a buffer zone High Ongoing around park boundaries to minimise risk of harmful interactions with seal and sea lion breeding colonies.

Assess applications for commercial fishing within park boundaries on Medium Ongoing a case by case basis. EXPLORATION AND MINING Prohibit access to all islands in this management plan for any High Ongoing activities associated with exploration and mining. LEASES AND LICENCES Enforce shack lease covenants for the terms of the lease. Low Ongoing

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 45 STRATEGY PRIORITY DURATION PUBLIC UTILITIES Ensure relevant authorities liaise with DEH with regard to the Medium Occasional maintenance of marine navigation aids. Liaise with AMSA and TSA to minimise effect on wildlife during Medium Ongoing servicing of infrastructure, eg avoid servicing during breeding seasons. MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE Maintain homestead, shack and sheds on St Peter and Franklin Medium Ongoing Island as required for ongoing management purposes. Involving the Community Provide opportunities for volunteer and community groups by Medium Ongoing facilitating the implementation of programmed activities. Encourage research into the natural and cultural heritage of the High Ongoing island parks. Involve representative Wirangu and Nauo Aboriginal traditional High Ongoing owners in the management of the park and in the preservation of their cultural heritage. Managing Reserve Tenure Incorporate land to LWM for Baird Bay Islands, Jones Island, Pearson High Short Island and Unnamed Rock (Whidbey Group). Add the main body of the Watchers to Waldegrave Islands High Short Conservation Park. Add to nearby parks the islets listed in table 1 to protect important High Short breeding and haul-out areas for Australian Sea-lions and New Zealand Fur-seals. Add Evans Island and Bird Rock to the Nuyts Archipelago High Short Conservation Park. Add the south-most island of the Four Hummocks to the Whidbey High Short Isles Conservation Park. Manage all land additions to the park according to the principles Medium Ongoing outlined in this management plan.

46 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alexander, P (1999) Managing Cape Barren Geese in Agricultural Landscapes in South Australia, Unpublished report, Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs

Aslin, HJ (1972) ‘Nest-building by Leporillus conditor in captivity’, South Australian Naturalist. 47: 43­ 46.

Blakers, M, Davies, SJJF and Reilly, PN (1984) The Atlas of Australian Birds. Royal Australian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne.

Braithwaite, RW (1998) ‘Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus)’ pp. 176-77, in The Mammals of Australia. (ed. R Strahan), New Holland Publishing Pty Ltd, Carlton, Victoria.

Christensen, P (1998) ‘Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata)’ pp. 292-93, in The Mammals of Australia. (ed. R Strahan), New Holland Publishing Pty Ltd, Carlton, Victoria.

Cogger, HG (1996) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books, Australia.

Cogger, HG, Cameron, EE, Sadlier, RA and Eggler, P (1993) The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Copley, P (1999) ‘Natural histories of Australia's Stick-nest Rats, genus Leporillus (Rodentia: Muridae)’, Wildlife Research, 26: 513-539.

Copley, PB (1995) The Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) Recovery Plan Draft, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Adelaide.

Copley, PB, Read, VT, Robinson, AC and Watts, CHS (1990) ‘Preliminary studies of the Nuyts Archipelago Bandicoot Isoodon obesulus nauticus on the Franklin Islands, South Australia’, pp. 345­ 56, in Bandicoots and Bilbies. (eds, JH Seebeck, PR Brown, RL Wallis and CM Kemper), Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.

Delroy, LR, Robinson, AC and Waterman, MH (1989) ‘Monitoring of Cape Barren Goose populations in South Australia. The 1987 breeding season and further banding recoveries’, South Australian Ornithologist, 30: 184-189.

Dennis, TE and Shaughnessy, PD (1996) ‘Status of the Australian Sea Lion, Neophoca cinerea, in the Great Australian Bight’, Wildlife Research, 23: 741-754.

Eldridge, MDB and Close, RL (1998) ‘Black-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis)’ pp. 377-381, in The Mammals of Australia. (ed. R Strahan), New Holland Publishing Pty ltd, Carlton, Victoria.

Gales, NJ, Shaughnessy, P and Dennis, TE (1994) ‘Distribution, abundance and breeding cycle of the Australian Sea-lion Neophoca cinerea (Mammalia: Pinnipedia)’, Journal of Zoology: Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 234: 353-370.

Kemper, C (1990) ‘Status of bandicoots in South Australia’, pp. 67-72, in Bandicoots and Bilbies. (eds, JH Seebeck, PR Brown, RL Wallis and CM Kemper), Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.

Lee, AK (1995) The Action Plan for Australian Rodents. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Maxwell, S, Burbidge, AA and Morris, K (eds.) (1996) The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. Wildlife Australia, Canberra.

McInnes, KL, Suppiah, R, Whetton, PH, Hennessy, KJ and Jones, RN (2003) Climate Change in South Australia – Assessment of climate change, impacts and possible adaptation strategies relevant to South Australia, CSIRO Atmospheric Research

McKenzie, J, Goldsworthy, SD, Shaughnessy, PD and McIntosh, R (2005) Understanding the impediments to the growth of Australian sea lion populations. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 47 Murray, BR, Dickman, CR, Watts, CHS and Morton, SR (1998) ‘The dietary ecology of Australian desert rodents’, Wildlife Research, 26: 421-437.

Murray-Jones, S, Shepherd, S and Robinson, A (eds.) (2003) A special issue of the Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia Incorporated containing papers on the Encounter 2002 Expedition to the Isles of St Francis, South Australia, South Australian Museum, Adelaide.

Nelson, LS, Storr, RF and Robinson, AC (1992) Plan of Management for the Brush-tailed Bettong, Bettongia pencillata Gray, 1837 (Marsupialia, Potoroidae) in South Australia, South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Norwood.

Page, B, McKenzie, J, McIntosh, R, Baylis, A, Morrissey, A, Calvert, N, Haase, T, Berris, M, Dowie, D, Shaughnessy, PD, Goldsworth, SD (2004) ‘Entanglement of Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals in lost fishing gear and other marine debris before and after government and industry attempts to reduce the problem’, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49: 33-42

Paull, DJ (1995) ‘The Distribution of the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) in South Australia’, Wildlife Research, 22: 585-600.

Primary Industries SA (1996) The Elliston Aquaculture Management Plan, May 1996, Incorporating the Elliston Coastal Waters Aquaculture Development. Development Plan Amendment

Robinson, AC (1998) ‘Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor)’, pp. 560-61, in The Mammals of Australia. (ed. R Strahan), New Holland Publishing Pty Ltd, Carlton, Victoria.

Robinson, AC and Delroy, LB (1986) ‘Monitoring of Cape Barren Goose Populations in South Australia’, South Australian Ornithologist, 30: 45-51.

Robinson, AC, Delroy, LB and Jenkins, RB (1982) The Conservation and Management of the Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae Latham in South Australia. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Special Publication Number 1, South Australia.

Robinson, AC, Groot, RD and Fraser, TS (1995) ‘Monitoring of Cape Barren Goose populations in South Australia III. The 1990 breeding season and the re-establishment on Reevesby Island’, South Australian Ornithologist, 32: 33-38.

Robinson, AC, Canty, PD, Mooney, P and Rudduck, P (1996) South Australia’s Offshore Islands, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia and Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Sarre, A (1998) “Concern surrounds the secret life of Sea-lions’, Ecos, 96: 6.

Saunders, GM and St John, BJ (1987) ‘Bettongs and Tammar Wallabies on Eyre Peninsula’, South Australian Naturalist, 62: 20-35.

Shaughnessy, PD (1999) The action plan for Australian Seals. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Shaughnessy, PD, Dennis, TE and Seager, PG (2005) ‘Status of Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, and New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, on Eyre Peninsula and the far west coast of South Australia’, Wildlife Research, 32: 85-101.

Start, T, Burbidge, A and Armstrong, D (1995) Woylie Recovery Plan (2nd edition). Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

Stokes, A, Arnold, C, Urban and St John, B (2001) Management of Cape Barren Geese in agricultural landscapes in South Australia - population estimate and cull limits for 2002. Unpublished report, Department for Environment and Heritage

Thomas, IM and Delroy, LB (1971) ‘Pearson Island Expedition 1969 - 4. The Pearson Island Wallaby’, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 95: 143-145.

Watts, CHS and Eaves, BM (1976) ‘Notes on the nests and diet of the white-tailed stick-nest rat, Leporillus apicalis, in northern South Australia’, South Australian Naturalist, 51:9-12.

48 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 APPENDIX A: PLANT SPECIES LIST

Purdie Island Lounds Island Eyre Island * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island St Peter Island * * * * * * East Franklin Island * West Franklin Island * * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * * Hart Island Fenelon Island * Masillon Island * West Island * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * Eba Island * * * * Pigface Island * Olive Island Jones Island * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * * Greenly Island * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * North Veteran Island Pearson Island * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island Little Waldegrave * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Island

Scientific Name Acacia anceps anceps Acacia cupularis Acacia Acacia notabilis Acacia oswaldii affinis Acrotriche patula Acrotriche megalocarpa Actites Allocasuarina verticillata buxifolia Alyxia Anagallis arvensis preissianus Angianthus tomentosus Angianthus Apalochlamys spectabilis annuum Apium var. prostratum Apium prostratum calendula Arctotheca

Common Name Port Lincoln Wattle Lincoln Port Coast Umbrella Bush Umbrella Wattle Wattle Notable Ground-berry Ridged Shiny Ground-berry Dune Thistle She-oak Drooping Dysentery Bush Pimpernel *Blue Angianthus Salt Hairy Cup-flower tobacco False Celery Annual Sea celery *Capeweed

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 49 Purdie Island * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * St Peter Island * * * * East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * * * * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * * * Jones Island * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * Pearson Island * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) * * South Four Hummocks * * * Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * Price Island * * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island * s s s Scientific Name sparagus asparagoide sparagus triplex cinerea cordata ssp. triplex paludosa triplex pumilio triplex sp. caespitosa ustroanthonia var. racemosa ustrodanthonia setacea ustrodanthonia drummondii ustrostipa elegantissima ustrostipa flavescen ustrostipa setacea ustrostipa stipoide ustrostipa barbata vena fatua vena resinifera var. marina vicennia racemosa A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

Common Name r t t *Bridal Creepe Saltbush Grey Marsh Saltbush Mueller’s Saltbush Whit-top Slender wallaby-grass Bristly Wallaby-grass Spear-grass Cottony Elegant Spear-grass Spear-grass Corkscrew Grass Coast Spear-grass Oa *Bearded *Wild Oa Mangrove Grey

50 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island Lounds Island Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * * West Franklin Island * Lacy Island * * * * * * * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * * * * West Island * * * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * * Smooth Island * * * * St Francis Island * * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * Pigface Island * * * * Olive Island * Jones Island Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * * North Veteran Island Pearson Island * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Island s s s

Scientific Name s s Beyeria lechenaultii Beyeria Brachycome ciliaris var. ciliari lineariloba Brachycome Brachyscome iberidifolia Brachyscome sp. tournefortii Brassica arenariu Bromus diandru Bromus madritensi Bromus ruben Bromus Bulbine semibarbata semicompositum* Bupleurum Cakile maritima ssp. Maritime calyptrata Calandrinia Callitris preissii tetragona Calytrix

Common Name y t Felted Wallaby-bush Variable Daisy Hard-headed Daisy Swan River Dais *Large-fruited Wild Turnip Brome Sand Brome *Great Brome *Madrid Brome *Red Leek Lily *Sea Rocke Purslane Pink Pine Cypress Southern Common Fringe-myrtle

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 51 Purdie Island * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * East Franklin Island * * * West Franklin Island * * Lacy Island * * * Hart Island * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * Egg Island * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * Eba Island * * * Pigface Island * * Olive Island * * * Jones Island * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * * Pearson Island * * * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * Price Island * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island s

Scientific Name Carpobrotus rossii rossii Carpobrotus Carrichtera annua dispar forma glabella Cassytha Cassytha melantha spicatum Centaurium ssp. cephaloformis Centrolepis ssp strigosa Centrolepis strigosa austrotenuifolia Cheilanthes album Chenopodium apiculatum Chrysocephalum var. backhousiana Correa pulchella Correa murrayi desertorum Chenopodium ssp.microphyllum murale Chenopodium cotinifoliu Codoncarpus Comesperma volubile coriacea t

Common Name r r Karkalla Weed *Ward’s Dodder-laurel Slender Dodder-laurel Large Centuary *Spike Dwarf Centrolepis Hairy Centrolepis Rock Fern *Fat Hen Goosefoo *Nettle-leaved Common Everlasting Desert Popla Love Creepe Common Correa Salmon Correa

52 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * Lacy Island * * * * * * Hart Island * * * Fenelon Island * Masillon Island * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * Egg Island * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * Eba Island * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * * * * * * North Veteran Island * Pearson Island * * * * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island * Ward Island * Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * Central Four Hummocks * * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * Price Island * Golden Island * * Avoid Bay Island * s s s s

Scientific Name s Cotula coronopifolia austrolasica var. vulgaris Cotula Crassula colorata colorata var. (NC) sieberana Crassula tetramera Crassula conocephalu Cratystylis glochidiatu Daucus brevicauli Dianella repen Dichondra Disphyma crassifolium ssp clavellatum bifloru var. biflorus Dissocarpus distichophylla Distichlis baueri Dodonaea spatulata ssp. viscosa Dodonaea ssp. nutans Einadia var. scaber Elymus scaber r

Common Name y t leaved Pigface Pigface leaved ing Saltbush n-horned Copperbur n-horned nkled Hop-bush Hop-bush nkled uebush Dais ustralian Crassula ustralian Crassula *Waterbuttons *Waterbuttons Cotula Slender Stonecrop Dense A A Bl Native Carro Lily Flax Black-anther Weed Kidney Round- Twi Emu-grass Cri Sticky- Hop-bush Climb Native Wheat-grass

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 53 Purdie Island * * * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * * St Peter Island * East Franklin Island * * * * West Franklin Island * * * Lacy Island * * * * * * Hart Island * * * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * * West Island * * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * * Smooth Island * * * * St Francis Island * * * * * * Eba Island * * * * * * Pigface Island * * * * Olive Island * * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * * Pearson Island * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * * Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave * * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * Central Four Hummocks * * North Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * Price Island * * Golden Island * * Avoid Bay Island * * s s s s Scientific Name s Enchylaena tomentosa var. var. tomentosa Enchylaena tomentosa deserti Eremophila ssp. glabra glabra Eremophila Erodium cicutarium ssp. cygnorum Erodium glandulosum (NC) sp. Eucalyptus sp. Eucalyptus yalatensi Eucalyptus sphaericu Euchiton paralia Euphorbia Euphrasia collina ssp. tetragona aphyllu Exocarpos var. pauciflora Frankenia fruticulosa Frankenia serpyllifolia Frankenia sessili ssp. capreolata Fumaria capreolata y t

Common Name t Ruby Saltbush Saltbush Ruby Turkey Bush Tar Bush Bill *Common Stock’s Bill Blue Stock’s Mallee White Island Kangaroo Gum Blue Australian South Yalata Mallee Common Cudweed *Sea Spurge Eyebrigh Purple Ballar Leafless Sea-heath Common Sea-heath Small-leaved *White-flower Fumitor

54 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * * * West Franklin Island * Lacy Island * * * Hart Island * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * * * * West Island * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * Eba Island * * Pigface Island * * * * Olive Island * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * * North Veteran Island * Pearson Island * * * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island * Ward Island * Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * Price Island * Golden Island Avoid Bay Island s

Scientific Name ? s Galium murale Galium spurium ssp. ibicinum Geijera linearifolia sp. Geranium ovata Goodenia varia Goodenia cylindrica Hainardia ssp. halocnemoides Halosarcia halocnemoide leucopsideum Helichrysum diandra Hemichroa leporinum Hordeum procumben Hornungia comocarpa Hydrocotyle congrua Isolepis marginata Isolepis nodosa Isolepis

Common Name ley-grass *Small Bedstraw *Bedstraw Bush Sheep Goodenia Hop Sticky Goodenia *Common Bird-grass Grey Samphire Coast Everlasting Mallee Hemichroa *Bar *Oval Purse Coarse Club-rush Knobby Club-rush

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 55 Purdie Island Lounds Island Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * * Lacy Island * * * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island West Island * * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * * * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * Eba Island * Pigface Island * Olive Island Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * * * * North Veteran Island * * * * Pearson Island * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island Rocky Island (South) * * South Four Hummocks * * * * * * * Central Four Hummocks * * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * * Price Island * * Golden Island Avoid Bay Island * s s var. crassifolia var. Scientific Name s Ixodia achillaeoides ssp. achillaeoide Lachnagrostis filiformi discolor Lasiopetalum glomerata Lawrencia spicata Lawrencia squamata Lawrencia pleuroseta Leiocarpa pluriseta Leiocarpa supina Leiocarpa foliosum Lepidium hyssopifolium Lepidium congestum Lepidosperma waitzia Leptorhynchus brownii Leucophyta parvifloru Leucopogon crassifolia Logania

Common Name Ixodia Ixodia Grass Blown Coast Velvet-bush Lawrencia Clustered Salt Lawrencia Lawrencia Thorny Stalked Ixiolaena Woolly Ixiolaena Stalked Ixiolaena Peppercress Leafy Peppercress Common Sword-sedge Clustered Button Immortelle Cushion-bush Beard-heath Coastal Logania Cost

56 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island Lounds Island * Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * * West Franklin Island * * * Lacy Island * * * * Hart Island * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * * * Dog Island * Egg Island * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * * * * * Pigface Island * * * * Olive Island * * * * Jones Island * * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island Pearson Island * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * * Topgallant Island * * * Little Waldegrave * * * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * * Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * Price Island * * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island

Scientific Name s Logania ovata ovata Logania rigidum Lolium Lolium sp. Lomandra collina australi Lotus australe Lycium Lycium ferocissimum brevifolia Maireana erioclada Maireana oppositifolia Maireana behriana Malva parviflora Malva americanum Malvastrum var. polymorpha Medicago sp. Medicago truncatula Medicago k c

Common Name c c ian Boxthorn Boxthorn ian ian Trefoil Trefoil ian leaved Logania Logania leaved vastrum vastrum mmear Ryegrass Ryegrass mmear ustral ustral ustralian Hollyhoc *Italian Ryegrass Sandhill Mart-rush Oval- *Wi A A Boxthorn *African Small-leaved Bluebush Rosy Bluebush Broombush Heath A *Marshmallow Mal *Woolly Burr Medi *Stooped Medi *Barrel Medi

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 57 Purdie Island * * Lounds Island * *e Eyre Island * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * St Peter Island * East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * * * * Hart Island * * * * * * * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * * * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * * Dog Island * * * * * Egg Island * * * * Smooth Island * * * St Francis Island * * * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * * * * Jones Island * * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Greenly Island * * * * * * Cap Island * * Dorothée Island * * * * North Veteran Island * * * Pearson Island * * * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island * Ward Island * Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave * * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * * * North Four Hummocks * * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * Price Island * * * Golden Island * * * * Avoid Bay Island *

Scientific Name s s Melilotus indica crystallinum Mesembryanthemum Melaleuca halmaturorum Melaleuca lanceolata adpressa Muehlenbeckia gunnii Muehlenbeckia Myoporum insulare Myoporum montanum Myoporum parvifolium Myoporum viscosum Nicotiana maritima Nitraria billardierei europaea ssp. europaea Olea Olearia axillari Olearia ramulosa Oxalis perennan t t Common Name South Australian Swamp Swamp Australian South Paper-bark Tea-tree Dryland *King Melilo Island *Common Iceplan Climbing Lignum Lignum Coastal juniper/Boobialla Native Native Myrtle Boobialla Creeping Boobialla Stick Tobacco Coast Nitre-bush *Olive Coast Daisy-bush Twiggy Daisy-bush Oxalis *Creeping

58 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island Lounds Island Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * * East Franklin Island * * * West Franklin Island * Lacy Island * * * * * Hart Island * * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * * Eba Island * * Pigface Island * Olive Island Jones Island * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * * North Veteran Island * * * Pearson Island * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * * North Four Hummocks * * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * Price Island Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island s s

Scientific Name s Oxalis pes-caprae pes-caprae Oxalis Parapholis incurva lophantha Paraserianthes debili Parietaria Pelargonium australe ssp. microcephala Pimelea Microcephala Pimelea serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia angustifolium Pittosporum hispida Plantago varia Plantago Poa annua poiformi var. Poa poiformis rugata var. rugata Podolepis Pomaderris oraria luteoalbum Pseudognaphalium Ptilitus obovatu obovatus var. r r Common Name ly Ryegrass Ryegrass ly iable Plantain Plantain iable ustral Stork’s Bill Bill Stork’s ustral *Soursob *Soursob *Cur Wattle Leeuwin *Cape Nettle Smooth A Mallee Riceflowe Thyme Riceflowe Pittosporum Weeping *Var Grass *Winter Grass Coast Tussock Podolepis Pleated Coast Pomaderris Smokebush

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 59 Purdie Island * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * * * St Peter Island * East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * Lacy Island * * * * Hart Island * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island West Island * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * * * * Egg Island * * * Smooth Island * * * St Francis Island * * * * * Eba Island * * * * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * * * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * * North Veteran Island * Pearson Island * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * Price Island * * * Golden Island * * Avoid Bay Island s s s Scientific Name s s Ptilotus spathulatus forma forma spathulatus Ptilotus spathulatu ssp. candolleana Rhagodia Rhagodia crassifolia australi var. rosea Romulea Rostraria cristata Rostraria cristata apetala Sagina Sagina maritima kali Salsola Samolus repen acminatum Santalum blackiana Sarcocornia quinqueflora Sarcocornia crassifolia Scaevola spinescen Scaevola pungen Scleranthus r t

Common Name r t Pussytail Saltbush Seaberry Saltbush Fleshy Grass *Guildford *Australian Cat’s-tail Cat’s-tail *Annual Pearlwor *Annual *Sea Pealwor Buckbush Brookweed Creeping Quondong Samphire Thick-headed Samphire Beaded Fanflowe Cushion Spiny Fanflowe Prickly Knawel

60 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island Lounds Island Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * * Smooth Island * * St Francis Island * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Greenly Island * * * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * * North Veteran Island * Pearson Island * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Island * s s s s s s Scientific Name Sclerolaena uniflora uniflora Sclerolaena uniflora Sclerolaena uniflora Sclerolaena glossanthu Senecio picridioide Senecio pinnatifoliu Senecio pinnatifoliu pinnatifolius Senecio nocturna ssp nocturna Silene Sisymbrium erysimoide Sisymbrium irio orientale Sisymbrium nigrum Solanum asper ssp asper Sonchus oleraceu Sonchus bocconii Spergularia marina Spergularia y

Common Name t Bassia Prickly Knawel Bassia Groundsel Slender Variable Groundsel Variable Groundsel Catchfly *Mediterranean *Smooth Mustard Rocke *London Mustard *Hedge *Black-berry Nightshade *Prickly Sow-thistle *Common-Sow-thistle Spurre *Salt Sand

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 61 Purdie Island * * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * Hart Island * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * * * * * * West Island * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * * * * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * * * * * Smooth Island * * St Francis Island * * * * * * * Eba Island * * * * Pigface Island * * * * Olive Island * * * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Greenly Island * * Cap Island Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * * Pearson Island * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave * * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * North Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * * Price Island * * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island * s s Scientific Name s s Suaeda australi Suaeda Spergularia rubra rubra Spergularia sp. Spergularia virginicu Sporobolus Spyridium phylicoide retusa Templetonia implexicoma Tetragonia implexicoma Tetragonia Teucrium sessiliflorum baueri Thysanotus skirrophorum Trichanthodium Triglochin centrocarpum Spergularia media media Spergularia hirsutu Spinifex diffusa Threlkeldia arvense Trifolium y r t

Common Name x ustral Seablite Seablite ustral *Coast Sand-spurre *Red spurrey Spurrey *Corn Rolling Spinife Salt Couch Narrow-leaved Spyridium A Tongue Cockie’s Spinach Zealand New Spinach Bower Camel Bush Coast Bonefrui Mallee Fringe-lily Woolly Yellow-heads Clove *Hare’s-foot Dwarf Arrowgrass

62 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Purdie Island Lounds Island * Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island East Franklin Island * * * * West Franklin Island Lacy Island * * Hart Island * * * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * West Island * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * * Smooth Island * St Francis Island * * * * * Eba Island * * * Pigface Island * * * * * Olive Island * * * Jones Island * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island Greenly Island * * Cap Island * Dorothée Island North Veteran Island Pearson Island * * * Investigator Group South Ward Island Ward Island * * Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * * * Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * Price Island * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Island s s s

Scientific Name s erochrysum bracteatum bracteatum erochrysum Triglochin mucronatum trichophorum Triglochin irritan var irritans Triodia picroide Urospermum uren Urtica hirta var dissecta Vittadinia Westringia dampieri rigida Westringia backhousei Wilsonia Wilsonia humilis var.humili dioica ssp. dioica Wurmbea X apiculatum Zygophyllum Zygophyllum billardierii y

Common Name t y Prickly Arrowgrass Spinifex *False Hawkbi *Small Nettle Common New Holland Dais Westringia Shore Rosemary Western Stiff Narrow-leaved Wilsonia Silky Wilsonia Nanc Early Golden Everlasting Pointed Twinleaf Coast Twinleaf Prickly Broom-heath

Introduced species are marked *.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 63 APPENDIX B: MAMMAL SPECIES LIST Nuyts Reef 4 Sinclair Island * Purdie Island 4 Lounds Island 4 Eyre Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island 3 1 * * 1 East Franklin Island * * 4 West Franklin Island * * 4 Lacy Island * Hart Island * Fenelon Island * 4 Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * West Island * Dog Island * * St Francis Island 3 * 1 * 1 Jones Island * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * 1 Eba Island 2 Olive Island 4 Greenly Island 3 1 * * Rocky Island (North) * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * * South Veteran Island * * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * Ward Island 3 * Little Waldegrave Island * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * Rocky Island (South) * * South Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Central Four Hummocks * * Perforated Island * * Arctocephalus forsteri forsteri Arctocephalus penicillata Bettongia obesulus Isoodon conditor Leporillus eugenii Macropus domesticus Mus cinerea Neophoca geoffroyi Nyctophilus cuniculus Oryctolagus lateralis Petrogale fuscipes Rattus Rattus rattus vulpecula Trichosurus Vulpes vulpes House Mouse Rabbit European Rat Black / Ship Fox Red New Zealand Fur-seal Fur-seal Zealand New Bettong Brush-tailed Brown Short-nosed/Southern Bandicoot Rat Stick-nest Greater Tammar / Damma Wallaby i i i i Australian Sea-lion Australian Lesser Long-eared Bat Rock-wallaby Black-footed Rat Bush Possum Brushtail

1. Skeletal remains only; 2. Tracks only; 3. Re-introduced population; 4. Breeding colony.

Introduced species are marked i.

64 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 APPENDIX C: BIRD SPECIES LIST Sinclair Island Purdie Island * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island * * Bird Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * St Peter Island * * * * * * * * * * East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * * * Lacy Island Hart Island * Fenelon Island * Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis West Island * * Freeling Island * * * Dog Island * * Egg Island * St Francis Island * * * Jones Island * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * Pigface Island Eba Island * Olive Island * Greenly Island * * Rocky Island (North) Cap Island Dorothée Island * * * South Veteran Island North Veteran Island Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * * South Ward Island Ward Island * Topgallant Island * * Little Waldegrave Island Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Islands Actitis hypoleucos hypoleucos Actitis cristatus Aegotheles Alauda atvensis Anas castanea Anas gracilis Anas superciliosa Anthus novaeseelandiae Apus pacificus Aquila audax Ardea alba Ardea grazetta Ardea novaehollandiae Ardea sacra interpres Arenaria cinereus Artamus Artamus cyanopterus Skylark Skylark Pacific Black Black Pacific Duck Pipit Richard’s Swift Fork-tailed Wedge-tailed Eagle Great/White Egret Egret Little White-faced Heron Reef Eastern Egret/ Black-faced Wood Swallow Wood- Dusky swallow Chestunt Teal Australasian Grey Teal Common Sandpiper Australian Owlet-nightjar i Ruddy Turnstone

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 65 Sinclair Island Purdie Island * * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island * * * Bird Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * * * * * * * * * * * * East Franklin Island * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * Lacy Island Hart Island Fenelon Island Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis West Island * Freeling Island * * Dog Island * Egg Island St Francis Island * Jones Island Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Pigface Island Eba Island Olive Island * * Greenly Island * Rocky Island (North) Cap Island Dorothée Island * South Veteran Island * North Veteran Island * * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * * South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island Little Waldegrave Island * 1 Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island 1 Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks 2 Central Four Hummocks 2 North Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * Price Island * Golden Island * Avoid Bay Islands Artamus personatus personatus Artamus Cacatua roseicapillus acuminata Calidris alba Calidris canutus Calidris ferruginea Calidris melanotos Calidris ruficollis Calidris tenuirostris Calidris Cereopsis novaehollandiae bicinctus Charadrius Charadrius ruficapillus Chrysococcyx basalis Cincloramphus cruralis approximans Circus Masked Wood-swallow Wood-swallow Masked Galah Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sanderling Red Knot Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Pectoral Stint Red-necked Great Knot Goose Barren Cape Double-banded Red-capped Horsfield’s/Rufous-tailed Songlark Brown Swamp/Marsh Harrier

66 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Sinclair Island Purdie Island Lounds Island * Eyre Island * * * * Bird Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * St Peter Island * * * * * * * * * * * 1 East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * Lacy Island Hart Island Fenelon Island * Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis West Island Freeling Island * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * St Francis Island * 1 Jones Island Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * Pigface Island * Eba Island * * * * Olive Island Greenly Island * 1 Rocky Island (North) Cap Island Dorothée Island * 1 South Veteran Island North Veteran Island 1 Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * 1 South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island Little Waldegrave Island 1 Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * 1 Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks * Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Islands Circus assimilis assimilis Circus Cladorhynchus leucocephalus livia Columba Coracina novaehollandiae coronoides Corvus Coturnix novaezelandiae torquatus Cracticus bennetti Crovus coronodies Crovus mellori Crovus Cygnus atratus albifrons Ephthianura tricolor Ephthianura minor Eudyptula Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome Eudyptes Feral Pigeon / Pigeon Feral Rock Dove Rock Spotted harrier Banded Stilt i Cuckoo-shrike Raven Australian Quail Stubble Butcherbird Grey Crow Little Raven Australian Raven Little Black Swan Wite-fronted Chat Chat Crimson Rockhopper Penguin Little/Fairy Penguin Black-faced Black-faced

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 67 Sinclair Island Purdie Island * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * * * * * * Bird Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * * * * * St Peter Island * * * * * * * * * 2 * * * East Franklin Island * * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * Lacy Island * * * Hart Island * * * Fenelon Island * * Masillon Island * * Isles of St Francis West Island * Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * * * Egg Island * * * * St Francis Island * * * * * Jones Island * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * * * Pigface Island * * * Eba Island * * 1 Olive Island * Greenly Island 2 2 * * * Rocky Island (North) * Cap Island * * * Dorothée Island 2 2 * * * South Veteran Island * North Veteran Island * * Investigator Group Pearson Island 2 * 1 * * South Ward Island Ward Island * * * Topgallant Island * * * * Little Waldegrave Island Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * * * Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * * * * Central Four Hummocks * * * * * North Four Hummocks * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * 3 * Price Island * * * Golden Island * * * Avoid Bay Islands * 1 Eurostopodus argus Eurostopodus Falco berigora Falco cenchroides Falco peregrinus Galinula ventralis Gallirallus philippensis melanops Gliciphila cyanoleuca Grallina Haematopus fuliginosus Haematopus ostralegus Haliaeetus leucogaster Heamatopus fuliginosus neoxena Hirundo nigricans Hirundo Larus novaehollandiae Spotted Nightjar Spotted Nightjar Hawk/falcon Brown Australian kestrel falcon Peregrine Blacked-tailed Native-hen Banded/buff-banded Rail Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Magpie-lark Sooty Oystercatcher Pied Oystercatcher sea- White-bellied eagle Sooty Oystercatcher Welcome swallow Tree Martin Gull Silver

68 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Sinclair Island Purdie Island * * Lounds Island * Eyre Island * * * * * Bird Island * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * * * * * * 2 * East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * Lacy Island * * * Hart Island * Fenelon Island * * * * Masillon Island * * Isles of St Francis West Island * * Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * Egg Island * * * St Francis Island * * * * Jones Island * * * 1 Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * * * Pigface Island * Eba Island * * Olive Island * Greenly Island * * * Rocky Island (North) Cap Island * 1 Dorothée Island 2 * * 1 South Veteran Island * North Veteran Island * * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * * * * South Ward Island Ward Island * * * 1 Topgallant Island * 1 Little Waldegrave Island * * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * * 2 Rocky Island (South) * South Four Hummocks * 1 Central Four Hummocks * * * North Four Hummocks * * * Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * * * 2 Price Island * * 1 Golden Island * * * * Avoid Bay Islands 2 2 * Larus pacificus Larus pacificus Lichenostomus virescens lapponica Limosa Manorina melanocephala Megalurus gramineus Melopsittacus undulatus serrator Morus petrophila Neophema Numenius madagascarensis phaeopus Numenius Pachycephala pectoralis Pandion haliaetus Passer domesticus marina Pelagodroma Pelecanus conspicillatus House Sparrow Pacific Gull Gull Pacific Singing Honeyeater Bar-tailed Godwit Miner Noisy Grassbird Little Budgerigah Australian Gannet Parrot Rock Eastern Curlew Whimbrel GoldenWhistler Osprey i White-faced Storm-petrel Australian Pelican

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 69 Sinclair Island * * Purdie Island * Lounds Island * * Eyre Island * * * Bird Island * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * St Peter Island * * * * * * 1 * * East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * Lacy Island * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis West Island * Freeling Island * * Dog Island * * Egg Island * St Francis Island * 1 Jones Island * * * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Pigface Island * 1 * * Eba Island * * Olive Island Greenly Island * * 1 * Rocky Island (North) * Cap Island * Dorothée Island * 1 * South Veteran Island North Veteran Island * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * * South Ward Island Ward Island 1 Topgallant Island 1 Little Waldegrave Island * Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks 1 Central Four Hummocks 1 North Four Hummocks 1 Whidbey Isles Perforated Island 1 Price Island 1 Golden Island * 1 Avoid Bay Islands Petroica goodenovii goodenovii Petroica rubricauda Phaethon carbo Phalacrocorax Phalacrocorax fuscescens Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Phalacrocorax sulcirostris varius Phalacrocorax Phaps chalcoptera Phaps elegans squatarola Pluvialis Puffinus tenuirostris leucophrys Rhipidura frontalis Sericornis caspia Sterna bergii Sterna Red-capped Robin Red-capped Red-tailed Tropicbird Great/Black Cormorant Black-faced Pied Little Cormorant Black Little Cormorant Pied Cormorant Common Bronzewing Bronzewing Brush Lesser Golden Plover Short-tailed Shearwater Willie Wagtail White-browed Scrubwren tern Caspian Tern Crested

70 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Sinclair Island Purdie Island * Lounds Island * * * Eyre Island * * * Bird Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * St Peter Island * * * * * * * East Franklin Island * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * Lacy Island * Hart Island * Fenelon Island Masillon Island * Isles of St Francis West Island * Freeling Island * Dog Island * Egg Island * St Francis Island * * * Jones Island * * Baird Bay Islands Baird Island * Pigface Island Eba Island * Olive Island Greenly Island 1 * Rocky Island (North) Cap Island 3 * Dorothée Island * * * * South Veteran Island North Veteran Island Investigator Group Pearson Island 1 * * * * * South Ward Island Ward Island Topgallant Island * Little Waldegrave Island Waldegrave Islands Waldegrave Island * * Rocky Island (South) South Four Hummocks Central Four Hummocks North Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles Perforated Island * Price Island Golden Island Avoid Bay Islands Sterna nereis nereis Sterna striata Sterna vulgaris Sturnus Thinornis rubricollis Tringa nabularia Turnix varia alba Tyto Vanellus miles Vanellus tricolor lateralis Zosterops g Common Starlin Fairy Tern White-fronted Tern i Hooded Dotterel/Plover Greenshank Button- Painted quail Barn Owl Masked/Spur- winged Banded Plover/ Silvereye 1. Breeding colony; 2. Nesting recorded.

Introduced species are marked i.

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 71 APPENDIX D: REPTILE SPECIES LIST Lounds Island * Purdie Island * * Eyre Island * * * Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * St Peter Island * * * * * East Franklin Island * * * West Franklin Island * * * Lacy Island * * * * Fenelon Island * * * * Masillon Island * * * West Island * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * Egg Island * St Francis Island * * * * * * * Eba Island * * Olive Island * Baird Bay Islands * Greenly Island * * Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * Topgallant Island Waldegrave Island * * * Central Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles North Four Hummocks Perforated Island * Acanthophis antarcticus antarcticus Acanthophis inaurita Aprasia striolata Aprasia virgatus Cryptoblepharus fionii Ctenophorus pictus Ctenophorus melanops Cyclodomorphus granariensis Diplodactylus mastersii Drysdalia Egernia multiscutata Egernia richardi variegata Gehyra decresiensis Hemiergis peronii Hemiergis Common Death Adder Common Death Worm-lizard Red-tailed Lined Worm-lizard Skink Wall Striped Dragon Peninsula Dragon Painted Bluetongue Slender Spinifex Gecko Stone Western Master’s Snake Bull Skink Skink Tree Western Tree Dtella Skink Earless Three-toed Skink Earless Four-toed

72 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 Lounds Island * Purdie Island * Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island * * * * * St Peter Island * * * * * * * * East Franklin Island * * * * * * * * West Franklin Island * * * * * * * * Lacy Island * * * * * * * Fenelon Island * * Masillon Island * * * West Island * * * * Isles of St Francis Freeling Island * Dog Island * * * Egg Island * * St Francis Island * * * * * * * * * * Eba Island * Olive Island * * Baird Bay Islands * Greenly Island * * * * Dorothée Island * * North Veteran Island * Investigator Group Pearson Island * * * * * * Topgallant Island * Waldegrave Island * * Central Four Hummocks * Whidbey Isles North Four Hummocks * Perforated Island * Heteronotia binoei Heteronotia Lerista dorsalis Lerista edwardsae Lerista microtis terdigitata Lerista Lialis burtonis greyii Menetia Morelia spilota adelaidensis Morethia obscura Morethia milii Nephrurus ater Notechis marmoratus Phyllodactylus baudini Pseudemoia Bynoe’s Gecko Gecko Bynoe’s Slider Four-toed Southern Mallee Slider Slider Long-legged Slider Three-toed Southern Lizard Legless Burton’s Dwarf Skink Python Carpet Snake-eye Adelaide Mallee Snake-eye Gecko Thick-tailed Snake Black Tiger Marbled Gecko Bight Coast Skink

Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006 73 Lounds Island Purdie Island Eyre Island Nuyts Archipelago Goat Island St Peter Island * * * 1 East Franklin Island West Franklin Island Lacy Island Fenelon Island Masillon Island West Island Isles of St Francis Freeling Island Dog Island Egg Island St Francis Island * Eba Island * Olive Island Baird Bay Islands Greenly Island Dorothée Island North Veteran Island Investigator Group Pearson Island * Topgallant Island Waldegrave Island * Central Four Hummocks Whidbey Isles North Four Hummocks Perforated Island Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii textilis Pseudonaja lepidopodus Pygopus nigriceps Rhinoplocephalus Tiliqua rugosa Varanus gouldii Southern Grass Skink Skink Grass Southern Snake Brown Eastern Common Scaly-foot Snake Short-tailed Mitchell’s Sleepy Skink/ Shingleback Lizard Gould’s Goanna/Sand Monitor

1. Introduced population

74 Island Parks of Western Eyre Peninsula Management Plan 2006